KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has formally withdrawn its representative from the government’s constitutional amendment discussion paper task force, expressing concerns over the panel’s objectives and working process.
In a letter to the task force coordinator, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel said the party’s representative, Dr Bhishma Adhikari, had initially joined the panel but the task force’s work had appeared “questionable” from the outset.
The letter states that the scope of the proposed constitutional amendments has not been clearly defined and that the government’s position on the Constitution’s fundamental structure remains unclear. It also argues that some issues introduced for discussion appear to contradict the spirit of the federal democratic republic.
The UML said it remains committed to constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening the Constitution’s core features while addressing past shortcomings and negative practices.
However, the party said it could not continue participating in a task force that appears to be pursuing changes to the Constitution’s fundamental principles.
Pokharel also said the government had failed to provide a clear response to the concerns raised by the UML, prompting the party to formally withdraw its representative from the panel.
Several other political parties had earlier pulled out of the task force led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s political adviser, Asim Shah.
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