KATHMANDU, May 5: The main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has demanded the government to replace the words ‘my government’ in the policy and program unveiled by the president on Friday with ‘Nepal government’.

The NC on Saturday registered an amendment at the parliament secretariat seeking to replace the objectionable phrase used by the president with something more acceptable to all.
Altogether three political parties have registered six amendments to the government’s policy and programs.

A joint amendment registered by two dozen NC lawmakers has sought replacing the words ‘my government’ with ‘Nepal government’ in the policy and program. 

The NC has also demanded revision of other provisions in the policy and program curtailing the rights of provincial and local governments, weakening democratic values as well as amendment of unclear polices on achieving good governance, development and prosperity. 

Four lawmakers of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal including presidium member Rajendra Mahato registered separate amendments to the policy and program. 

Mahato demanded the government to ensure constitution amendment for wider acceptance of the charter while Laxman Lal Karna demanded bringing all political forces into mainstream politics. Meanwhile, Chanda Chaudhary of the sane party demanded the reconstruction authority to rebuild tornado ravaged Bara-Parsa areas. 

Chandra Kant  Chaudhary RJPN also registered an amendment to the policy and program.  Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party demanded recovering public land registered in private names across the country.

Meanwhile, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmakers lambasted the government during the parliamentary party meeting of the party on Saturday questioning the motive behind use of the words ‘my government’ by the president.  “The word has also dragged the president into controversy. We deserve to know who decided to use the words and with what intention?” questioned Janardan Sharma of the NCP. 

Lawmakers Sharma and Ram Kumari Jhakri threatened the party leadership of disobeying the party whip if their genuine questions were not answered. 

Earlier, NCP deputy parliamentary party leader Subas Nembang had instructed the ruling lawmakers to support the policy and program. 

“Couldn’t agree with the argument that using the words ‘my government’ by head of state is practiced all over the world. I will vote for the policy and program but will register my note of dissent,” Jhakri tweeted.

 
• NC
 
• government
 
• Nepal