Amendment bill will be tabled on Sunday: Nidhi 
KATHMANDU, Jan 6: The agitating Madhes-based political parties have suggested to the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (Maoist Center) to remove constitutional difficulties for endorsing the constitution amendment bill through Parliament. 

The  suggestion has come in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on Sunday over the constitution amendment bill. At a meeting with the ruling NC and Maoist Center on Thursday, various Madhes-based party leaders suggested removing the constitutional difficulties for the purpose, said Rajendra Mahato, chairman of Shadbhawana Party, while emerging from the meeting.

“As we don't have provincial assemblies at present, we can choose the option of removing constitutional difficulties or amending Article 274 of the Constitution, he said. 

There is a provision under Article 305 for removing constitutional difficulties if any such difficulties arise in connection with the implementation of the Constitution before the first session of the Parliament elected in accordance with the new Constitution. Such a move requires to be presented immediately for Parliament's endorsement. The Oli government had used this device to pave the way for the election of a new government to succeed him.

After the Supreme Court in its ruling referred to Article 274 of the Constitution, which states that a decision on revising a provincial boundary must be endorsed by the provincial assembly within a month, the parties have been discussing different options. 
Keshav Jha, general secretary of National Madhes Socialist Party, claimed however that the article doesn't bar revision of provincial boundaries in the transitional period.  

“The meeting between the NC, Maoist Center and the Federal Alliance has decided to table the amendment bill in the House on Sunday and take initiatives for garnering a two-thirds majority in favor of the bill,” he said. 

Nepali Congress leader and Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, while emerging from the meeting, told media that the government will table the amendment bill on Sunday.

“We will table the amendment bill and the agitating Madhes-based parties will support it,” he said. Asked about obstruction by the opposition parties, he further said, 'we expect that they will not obstruct the House.'

 
• constitution amendment bill
 
• madhes parties