KATHMANDU: The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, led by Upendra Yadav, has decided not to support the land ordinance, a move that could significantly impact its passage in the National Assembly.
A JSP leader confirmed that the party’s parliamentary meeting on Tuesday resolved to withhold support for the ordinance, following a recommendation from a task force led by MP Rajkishore Yadav.
Despite opposing the land ordinance, JSP Nepal remains positive on five other ordinances issued by President Ram Chandra Paudel.
President Paudel initially delayed the land ordinance for further study but later issued it on January 15 on the Council of Ministers’ recommendation under Article 114(1) of the Constitution.
In his statement, Yadav expressed strong disapproval of the land ordinance, stating, “Among the ordinances issued by the government, the ‘Ordinance to amend certain Nepal Acts relating to land’ appears to have been brought to sell, distribute, or divide land under various pretexts, specifying the size and area of land to individuals. We have serious disagreement and opposition to this ordinance.”
He further emphasized that the ordinance would lead to the encroachment and distribution of forest land, potentially jeopardizing national parks, rivers, forests, and other protected areas.
“This ordinance prohibits the encroachment, felling, and distribution of forest land to illegal settlers for real estate business, unorganized settlement, land development, construction of houses in ghaderi, or sale of houses in such ghaderi, public land, land on the banks of rivers, streams or canals, forest, national park and reservation land, land of cattle markets, market stalls or markets, land along roads, land declared as forest areas or buffer zones, land declared as butyan areas, as well as encroachment, felling of national forests, and other activities that may lead to forest destruction and destruction of the ecosystem and biodiversity.”
The JSP Nepal holds a crucial position in the National Assembly, where the government lacks a majority to pass the ordinance. With three JSP MPs in the Upper House, their stance will determine the fate of the ordinance.
Although the ruling coalition, comprising the Nepali Congress and UML, has a majority in the House of Representatives, it faces a tougher battle in the National Assembly, where JSP’s votes are decisive.
Despite supporting the government, JSP Nepal is not part of the ruling coalition. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba are reportedly lobbying for JSP’s backing.
Some speculate that Yadav is leveraging his position to negotiate for the Chief Minister post in Madhesh Province.
Comment