KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Nine opposition parties including CPN-UML, which are up in arms against the constitution amendment bill, have staged a ‘huge’ mass demonstration in the capital on Friday.
The protest rallies that emerged from 40 different places in the Valley passed through Bhadrakali, Sundhara, and Ratnapark before converging into a mass meeting at Bhrikutimandap.
Addressing the mass meeting, CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that his party will never allow the endorsement of any ‘antinational bill including the constitution amendment bills registered by the government’ through parliament.
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“We won’t allow the approval of the antinational constitution amendment bill by the House because it is unconstitutional and antinational,” said Oli. Stating that though the constitution has been issued, it is yet to be implemented, Oli stressed on the need for holding elections for the implementation of the constitution.
Speaking on the occasion, CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel has said that the country has been polarized between nationalist and anti-nationalist forces.
He further said that the nationalist forces have stood united under the leadership of the CPN-UML.
“The time has come for the Nepali people to choose either to be with the nationalist forces and anti-nationalist forces,” said Pokharel, adding, “Clashes are going on between these two forces and, ultimately, the nationalist campaign led by CPN-UML will emerge victorious,” claimed Pokharel.
In the mass demonstration, the chiefs and leaders of eight opposition parties – Nepal Workers Peasants Party, Rastriya Janamorcha, CPN (ML), Rastriya Janamukti Party, Nepal Pariwar Dal, Bahujan Shakti Party, Nepal Rastriya Party and Madhes Samata Party – had expressed their views.
Photos by Prabin Koirala/Republica
