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Disputes on federalism, secularism formally settled

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KATHMANDU, Sept 15: Constituent Assembly (CA) on Monday formally settled the disputes on secularism and federalism, two of the most contested issues in the constitution-making process, by two-thirds majority in a clause-wise voting on Constitution Bill.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), the fourth largest party in the CA, had registered amendment proposal against the Clause 4 of the Constitution Bill that describes Nepal as a secular country. The proposal was rejected by the two-thirds majority of the CA.


Before allowing the voting process to proceed, CA Chairman Subas Nembang had announced that the amendment proposal was rejected by the majority, but RPP-N chief Kamal Thapa insisted for vote division. As per the CA regulations, Nembang then asked the CA members in favor of amendment to stand up to prove that their number is not less than 10 percent of total CA seats. Only 21 CA members supported the proposal.

After the key agenda of his party was rejected by the CA, RPP-N Chairman Thapa lamented that the party failed to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state.

Later, Thapa expressed his discontent through a twitter post: "Respected Nepali brothers and sisters, we failed to make Nepal a Hindu state in the constitution. We became alone. None, except Akhanda Nepal Party supported us. We are feeling sad."

Thapa termed the decision to endorse secularism in the constitution as unfortunate. "The feelings of Nepali people are completely ignored by declaring Nepal a secular state by ignoring the identity of Hindu state," Thapa said on another of his tweets. "Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) united to end the identity of Hindu state through the majority votes under the pressure of foreigners but against the wish of millions of Nepali people."

RPP-N had also registered amendment on the Article 56 of the Constitution Bill that declares Nepal a federal republic state.

During the voting process, RPP-N demanded for vote division on their amendment proposal on the Article stating the proposal was against federalism. The proposal secured only 25 votes with three lawmakers from Rastriya Janamorcha, which is led by Chitra Bahadur KC, supporting the proposal.



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