KATHMANDU, April 21: A number of small political parties have urged the government to withdraw the two controversial ordinances issued by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday.
In their separate press statements, the parties urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to withdraw the ordinances to save the country from renewed cycle of political instability.
The first ordinance introduced by the government amends the provisions in the Political Party Act to make it easy to split political parties, while the second ordinance makes it possible to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Council even without the participation of the main opposition party leader. The Constitutional Council, headed by the prime minister, makes constitutional appointments.
Let Sajha rise
Chairperson of Samajbadi Party, Upendra Yadav, in a statement, stated that the latest political move will invite a serious political instability in the country while putting democracy at a great risk.
Similarly, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said the latest decision of the government to issue an ordinance during this health emergency could bring about political instability in the country. "The party urges the government not to carry activities that invite political instability and anarchy in the country," said the party in a statement on Tuesday.
Sajha Party, in its statement, concluded that the country might witness a disastrous situation if the ordinances are not withdrawn. "The latest political development suggests Prime Minister Oli’s desire to impose dictatorship in the country," the statement said.
Bibeksheel Nepal Dal alleged that the latest move of the government to introduce the ordinances is intended to divert people's mood from the government's failure to effectively tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The party, in a statement, said that the ordinances were against the spirit of the separation of powers, as envisioned in the constitution.
The party also said that the latest political move will bring another round of political instability in the country. "Therefore, we urge the government to withdraw the ordinances," the statement said.
