In its last session, the House of Representatives witnessed a volley of criticisms against the finalised interim constitution, which it looks all set to promulgate.

Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang chairing the last session of the reinstated House of Representatives in which the draft of the interim constitution is being discussed, Monday, Jan 15 07. The parliament will be dissolved after endorsing the interim constitution. nepalnews.com/rh

Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang chairing the last session of the reinstated…
Even senior leaders of ruling seven party alliance have criticised the interim constitution. Addressing the parliament, Bharat Mohan Adhikary, standing committee member of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), pointed out several flaws in the constitution. “I regret the fact that this interim constitution does not allow the parliament to remove the Prime Minister once he is appointed. The parliament session cannot be held unless the PM convenes it. There are provisions that could jeopardise the democracy,” Adhikary said.

Adhikary also drew the attention of the parliament towards demands for amendments made by the Supreme Court on the provisions related with judiciary.

“Most importantly, I am sad why the government did not allow the parliament to discuss it thoroughly. When the eight party leaders, on January 8, decided to promulgate the interim constitution on January 15, why they did not wish to allow the parliament to discuss it in the last one week?” he questioned.

Likewise, the president of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), was particularly bitter about the interim constitution. “We were proud when the parliament restored after the people’s movement was declared sovereign. But it appears we were no more than respected rubber stamp. We did not have any status even to thoroughly discuss the interim constitution,” Rana said. “All tradition, norms and values of parliamentary system has been violated by the manner in which this interim constitution is being promulgated.”

“I know our voices will not be heard today. But a day will come when the interim parliament will be compelled to adopt the amendment proposals the RPP has presented,” he said.

Rana lambasted the eight parties for “negating” a big chunk of Nepali society. “It is not only the RPP that has called for amendment. The civil society, media, judiciary and bar has called for amendments,” he added.

According to Rana, the interim constitution has been indifferent to the issues of Madhesis, women, Dalit, indigenous and other minorities. He claimed that his party will honestly lead these neglected sections of society. Rana warned that his party will be compelled to boycott the parliament if their issues continue to go unaddressed.

Chitra Bahadur KC, MP of People’s Front, also criticised the interim constitution. He warned that the interim constitution indicates the country would no more be governed by the rule of law. “Instead there are enough indications that King’s autocracy is going to be replaced by dictatorship of eight parties,” he said.

KC called for amendment in the citizenship provision and demanded that independence of judiciary be fully respected. He expressed doubts that given the continued intimidation and physical action by the Maoist militia in villages there would be CA election in “free, fair and fearless environment.”

Rajendra Mahato, an MP from Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi), also criticised the interim constitution for not providing equal status to all kinds of people. He said that without addressing the issues of Madhesis, the ongoing violence in Terai region would not be resolved. “Peace will not come just by writing in the interim constitution that there will be peace,” he said.

Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of Nepali Congress (Democratic), defended the constitution saying it was the document of compromise. “There are issues in which our party also differs. But this is a document of compromise and understanding and we are all committed to hold elections of Constituent Assembly,” he said. Likewise, vice president of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said the interim constitution was the product of people’s sovereignty. The last session of the parliament is still underway. The parliament is expected to promulgate the interim constitution today itself after discussions.