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Parties discuss constitution amendment; preparing to introduce a bill in CA

The seven parties are engaged in intense discussion over the issue of constitution amendment, Tuesday evening.

At the meeting held at the parliamentary party office of UML in Singhdurbar, parties have differed over whether to induct opposition member in the National Security Council.

The Nepali Congress (NC) has said that an opposition member should be included in the Council. It has pointed at the 'sensitive transitional phase' saying opposition representation is needed in the Council in this crucial phase. On the other hand, Maoists and UML have rejected its demand saying it is an undemocratic practice.

Some parties of the seven party alliance such as Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) have called for inducting representatives of all the seven parties in the council.

Till late evening on Tuesday, the parties had not reached any agreement on this issue.

However, the parties have agreed to introduce motion to bring about fifth amendment of the interim constitution during Wednesday's constituent assembly meeting. The amendment will include the provision allowing simple majority to form a government and choose a president.

If there is an understanding, the government would introduce a single motion while different motions could be sponsored by different parties in case there is no agreement, said reports.

"The Council of Ministers would take constitutional amendment proposal along with dissenting opinions like the one of NC on security council make-up," said Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, leader of NC. According to him, the parties were busy debating each clause of amendment as well as other issues such as nomination of 26 CA members and the future role of UNMIN.

The meeting of the seven parties, however, has not taken up the issue of power-sharing. The Maoists and UML have already decided to back each other's candidate for the position of prime minister and president, respectively. The Maoists have said the new government would be formed by the CA. nepalnews.com sd Jun 24 08