Main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) on Sunday obstructed the parliament meeting for the third consecutive time, demanding tabling of the constitution amendment bill simultaneously with the reconstruction authority bill. On the other hand, the agitating UDMF has been threatening to resume House obstruction if any attempt is made to table the constitution amendment bill. UDMF had decided to lift its House obstruction only for the endorsement of the much-awaited reconstruction authority bill, in order to pave the way for the rehabilitation and reparation for quake victims and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
The House meeting on Sunday could not enter into business after NC lawmakers obstructed proceedings for not bringing the amendment bill also. "We are not against the reconstruction authority bill, but the constitution amendment bill is also equally important. House proceedings cannot move forward unless the amendment bill is brought in together," said NC chief whip Chinkaji Shrestha at parliament.
An attempt to forge consensus between ruling parties, the main opposition NC and the agitating UDMF failed after both NC and UDMF stuck to their own stances. A three-party meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office at Singha Durbar prior to the House meeting did not enter into the issue of addressing the ongoing Madhes crisis, said Shadbhawana party leader Laxman Lal Karna.
"We could not agree on tabling the constitution amendment bill as it is incomplete. We just agreed to lift the House obstruction to endorse the bill on the reconstruction authority in view of the plight of the earthquake victims," said Karna.
NC Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel said that they will reach a decision only after holding discussions with the Speaker.
Ruling parties had proposed to table the amendment bill at the next House meeting immediately after endorsement of the bill on reconstruction authority. But, according to UCPN (Maoist) Vice-Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the NC objected to this also.
Speaker Onsari Gharti has summoned a meeting between leaders of the ruling parties, the opposition NC and the UDMF on Monday with a view to finding a solution.
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