KATHMANDU: As a tool to help the government overcome the ongoing political deadlock, the government has drafted an ordinance amending the Political Parties Act 2017.

According to sources, the draft has included some new provisions to facilitate the party split. As per the new provision, a new party can be registered at the Election Commission with 20 percent support either in parliamentary party or in party’s central committee.

While in opposition, the ruling Nepali Congress and other parties of erstwhile opposition alliance had objected to then KP Oli led government’s attempt to introduce similar ordinance in April, 2020.

Sources also said that the mandatory percentage of the members was not mentioned earlier when it was drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law.

After discussions with CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, the government has introduced the provision of 20 percent members for party split.

Interestingly, the amendment meant to ease UML’s Khanal-Nepal faction is likely to make Mahantha Thakur faction of Janata Samajbadi Party more comfortable as well.

Similarly, the latest draft of the ordinance has relaxed the political freedom of the people’s representatives at local and province levels.

As per new provision, the people’s representatives of Province or local levels can change the party, they can do so by notifying the concerned assembly within 21 days of the split of political parties.

The provision is sure to pacify the local and province level leaders willing to revolt against UML Chairman Oli, as they can save their position even after joining the new party.