The government has to defeat the Maoist notice by a simple majority to take the proposal to extend the CA deadline -- that expires on May 28 -- ahead. The government also has to prove majority in favor of the government bill that has proposed one-year extension of the CA term. [break]
Maoist lawmakers Dev Gurung and Ek Raj Bhandari registered the notice in the parliament secretariat. They argued that there is no meaning in approving the bill as the government deliberately registered it in parliament knowing that such a bill would not be passed.
“The government doesn´t command two-third majority in parliament. It must have the support of the main opposition but it didn´t even consult the latter, let alone ask for any feedbacks. Therefore, it is clear that the government intends to make the CA a failure and thwart the constitution writing process,” Bhandari, who is also a lawyer, told myrepublica.com explaining the rationale behind their move.
He argued that while all the past accords, including the 12-point agreement, the Comprehensive Peace Accord and interim constitution, have clearly directed the political parties to run the government on the basis of consensus, the present coalition has violated the understanding time and again.
The Maoist lawmakers have claimed that the government not only remained indifferent toward expediting the constitution writing process but has also hindered the statute drafting process during recent months.
Lawyer-turned lawmaker Agni Kharel of the ruling CPN-UML said the Maoist party´s disapproval against the bill for CA term extension should be taken as a normal move in parliamentary practice.
"But, it doesn´t mean that they have to stick to the same point. They can withdraw or support the government bill at a later stage. The political parties can resolve it by reaching an agreement," he said.
With the latest Maoist move, the government has faced immense pressure also due to time constraints.
"If the government fails to take the bill ahead at the parliamentary meeting on Monday, we will have insufficient time to follow due process and pass the bill by May 28. In that case, we will have to suspend some of the procedures," Tek Prasad Dhungana, legal advisor of parliament, told myrepublica.com.
Lawmaker Sarita Giri of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) also registered a separate disapproval notice against the government bill.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from other 14 political parties chanted slogans in front of the rostrum at the parliamentary meeting on Sunday demanding CA term extension.
Before chanting slogans, CP Mainali of CPN (ML) and Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani of Rastriya Janashakti Party explained why the CA term extension has become the need of the hour.
thira@myrepublica.com
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