KATHMANDU: Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav has claimed that his party played a decisive role in halting the controversial Land Ordinance, forcing the government to reconsider its approach.
“We brought the government to its senses. The government was trying to force it, but we made a decision in favor of everyone,” Yadav told Khabarhub after the ruling coalition meeting in Baluwatar.
He said future land laws must account for population dynamics, environmental protection, and forest conservation rather than being rushed through as ordinances.
The ordinance, which sought to allocate public land to landless Dalits, squatters, and unorganized settlements, faced strong resistance from JSP, LSP, Janamat Party, and the Maoist Center.
Critics warned that the law could be exploited by business groups and land mafias, leading to the loss of forests, open spaces, and vital public land.
JSP Nepal and LSP’s opposition left the ruling coalition without the necessary votes in the National Assembly, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government to withdraw the ordinance. The ruling parties have now agreed to introduce a revised land bill, addressing concerns raised by coalition partners.
Yadav’s firm stance prevented a potential government split, as JSP and LSP had threatened to exit the coalition if the ordinance was pushed forward. Now, with broader consultations underway, Yadav insists that land policies will be crafted with national interest in mind rather than rushed executive decisions.
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