One of the Deputy Prime Ministers of the coalition government of the seven party alliance, Amik Sherchan has said that there is no constitutional and legal basis of the historic proclamation of parliament.
Amik Sherchan
Amik Sherchan (File Photo)
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Friday, he said that the government was not formed on the basis of the constitution of 1990 and added that it was the strength of the movement that there was no need to follow the old constitution.
He also added that as the parliament was not following the constitutional and legal procedures, he is also free to do what he likes.
In response of the criticism from CPN-UML leader and parliamentarian Raghuji Pant for his “controversial” activities and remarks in the government and in parliament, Sherchan said, “When the existing parliament, with no legal or constitutional basis, has the right to take several political decisions including curtailment of the powers enjoyed by the king on the grounds of a people’s mandate, I am also free to do whatever I like,” he added.
Sherchan however said, nobody can nix the five-point agreement signed on August 9 between the SPA government and the Maoists seeking the United Nation’s assistance to manage arms and monitor the peace process.
“I respect Prime Minister GP Koirala who did not listen to wrong elements and who expressed his commitment to the 12-point pact between the government and the Maoists,” said Sherchan.
Sherchan added that political settlement was the main issue, rather than managing weapons. “If the peace process is not a success the Maoists will take to arms again,” he said.
Sherchan called upon the SPA to immediately dissolve the House as the SPA and Maoists both had agreed to reinstate the House for only three to seven days.
However, Pant argued that parliament could be dissolved immediately after the management of Maoist arms and before going for the CA polls. He also urged all the political parties to consolidate their unity and understanding on establishing a democratic republic in the country.
Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma accused SPA of not abiding by the 8-point pact. He said parliament was running with the concept of a King in parliament, and so it could never call for a republican set-up in the country.
Minister for State for Information and Communications Dilendra Prasad Badu praised the media’s role during the Jana Andolan (People’s movement) and called upon them to ensure the success of the election to a Constituent Assembly.