A meeting of the CA on Thursday passed a proposal to suspend Clause 93 (3) of the CA Regulations-2014, by majority votes despite protests from Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N) and some Madhesh-based political parties.
Clause 93 (3) of the regulations states that a draft of new constitution should be provided to each CA member seven days before deliberations formally begin in the CA full House. With the suspension of the clause, the House will begin deliberations on draft constitution, from Friday, said CA Chairman Subas Nembang.Opposing the suspension of the clause, Shadbhawana Party lawmaker Laxman Lal Karna accused other parties of breaching the lawmakers' right to study the draft for seven days. "What could be the reason behind suspension of the clause? Is CA's tenure expiring? Why can't we wait for additional five days to allow lawmakers to study the draft?" questioned Karna at the CA meeting.
Lawmakers from RPP-N, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSF-N), Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party, Shadbhawana Party, Tarai Madhesh Shadbhawana Party and Bahujan Shakti Party descended on the well of the parliament to protest when CA chairman began the procedures to suspend the clause.
Nepali Congress Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha had to evade dissident lawmakers to reach the rostrum to table the clause suspension proposal.
On Tuesday, the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) of the CA tabled the draft at the new constitution in the full House for deliberations, after giving final touch over differences on disputed issues.
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