While the Maoists have demanded a fresh start to the election in the special House session that began Sunday, ruling parties are for resolving differences, including government formation, through a regular session.[break]
The parties agreed not to debate for and against the Maoist proposal in the special session on Sunday as planned earlier. The leaders from UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML reached such an understanding at the three-party meeting held in Singha Durbar Sunday morning.
As per the political understanding, Speaker Subas Nembang ended the first meeting of the special session after reading out the message of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
The head of state had summoned the session as per the petition by one fourth of the lawmakers from UCPN (Maoist) and other small political parties. They had petitioned for the special session demanding a fresh start to the prime ministerial election accusing the government of procrastinating regular session.
In parliamentary practice, leaders representing the petitioners address the House explaining why they had to demand such a session while leaders who oppose the move make their counterarguments at the first meeting.
“We decided not to debate for and against the proposal at the parliament meeting as that might further embitter relations among the parties,” said UML leader Bharatmohan Adhikari.
The Maoists agreed not to intensify arguments and counterarguments after leaders at the three-party meeting floated a proposal to end the special session as per the understanding to forward the same proposal at the regular session.
- Defer debates in House meeting
- Non-Maoists propose to forward agenda to regular session
- MPRF backs ruling coalition
- Countdown begins on ordinance
“We have suggested that there is no need to mention “withdrawal of Maoist” proposal. We would, instead, state that the same agenda will be forwarded to the regular session for decision,” Adhikari told Republica. “The Maoists said they would first consult other leaders within their party and other parties who have supported their move.”
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had pledged at the three-party meeting that he would recommend to the president to summon the regular House session on the date suggested by the parties.
Speaker Nembang has called the next parliament sitting for December 23. If the Maoists agree on the new proposal the session will be prorogued.
Otherwise, the motions will be tabled for decision. As all the political parties who have been supporting the ruling coalition, who jointly command majority, have already decided to vote against the Maoist proposal, it is destined to be defeated.
MPRF against Maoist motion
Meanwhile, a parliamentary party meeting of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Sunday decided to oppose the Maoist move. MPRF decision has made it further comfortable for the ruling coalition to defeat the Maoist motion.
Countdown begins for ordinance
With the beginning of the special session on Sunday, the countdown for the endorsement of budget which was introduced through ordinance has begun. As per the existing provision, any ordinance must be endorsed within 60 days of the start of the new session.
The government had introduced annual budget through ordinance by proroguing the House following a scuffle inside parliament.
Prime Minister Nepal, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel, UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, among other senior leaders, were present at the three-party meeting.
Related story
NRB to act strict against BFIs leaving merger midway
