Even though they are hardly likely to get more than a couple of hours to discuss the interim constitution on Monday morning, members of parliament belonging to various parties have filed numerous amendment proposals.

The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), KC and Ale factions of People’s Front, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP), Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi) have filed proposal amendments of their respective parties. On the other hand, some MPs belonging to Nepali Congress and NC (Democratic), too, have filed individual amendments for proposals.

On their individual basis, 25 MPs including Chakra Bastola of NC, and Gobinda Bahadur Shah of NC-Democratic have filed proposal seeking amendment to clearly specify them as elected MPs in the constitution. The UML has sought some changes including adoption of proportional representation electoral system during Constituent Assembly elections; holding of a separate referendum to decide the fate of monarchy; provision of removing the Prime Minister through two-third majority of the parliament; and inclusion of only PM, Chief Justice and Speaker in the constitutional council.

Likewise, RJP president Surya Bahadur Thapa has filed amendment proposal seeking provision of appointing PM who enjoys two-third support of MPs and who has to obtain vote of confidence within a month of assuming office. The NSP-A has sought fresh delimitation of electoral constituencies based on population. The RPP, on the other hand, wants formation of local bodies with the consensus of all parties in the interim parliament; reconstitution of constitutional and judicial council; and adoption of federal system.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the top leaders of the four parties – NC, NC-D, Maoists and UML – held on Sunday evening has already decided to pass the constitution without any amendment. Although Supreme Court judges had submitted a number of amendment proposals, the interim statute passed by the cabinet on Sunday has not incorporated them except for minor change in according higher protocol status to a SC judge at judicial council.