Deuba-led govt, too, introduces ‘party-split’ ordinance

Published On: August 17, 2021 03:27 PM NPT By: Republica

The ordinance allows a split in a political party with the support of just 20 percent central committee members or parliamentary party members

KATHMANDU, August 17: The government has introduced a new ordinance related to splits in political parties. A Cabinet meeting held at Baluwatar on Tuesday decided to introduce the ordinance and send it to the President’s Office for approval.

The new ordinance, once it is approved by the president, will allow a split in a political party if 20 percent of the central committee members or the parliamentary party members of that party want so.

The existing Political Parties Act allows a split in a party only if the proposal to split the party is supported by at least 40 percent of the central committee members or parliamentary party members of that party. However, in the new ordinance introduced by the current government, the party split will be recognized if just 20 percent of the central committee members or parliamentary party members agree to the split.

Interestingly, the then opposition alliance led by Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba had earlier protested against a similar move taken by then Prime Minister K P Oli. After widespread criticism, Oli was forced to withdraw the ordinance that relaxed provisions that was aimed at making a party split easier. Oli's move was aimed at facilitating a split in the Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Party (FSP).