KATHMANDU, May 30: The main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), has put forth a 'proposal' to extend its support to the constitution amendment bill related to the new political map of the country put forth by the government in parliament.

A proposal to this effect was made at the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting that is currently underway at the party's headquarters in Sanepa. 

According to NC Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma, the proposal put forth in the CWC meeting has proposed to direct its parliamentary party to vote in favor of the constitution amendment bill that seeks to bring amendment to the political map included in Schedule 3 related to Article 9 (2) of the constitution. The new map includes Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura that have been controlled by India since the 1960s even though they are Nepali territories.

Spokesperson Sharma said a clear proposal in this regard has been made at the CWC meeting. The party's CWC members are currently putting forth their views on the proposal put forth in the meeting. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Shivamaya Tumbahangphe was scheduled to table the bill for discussions at parliament in a bid to amend Nepal's constitution to update the country’s map. However, the bill was removed from the parliamentary business as per NC's request to wait until the party could take a decision to this effect from its CWC meeting.

It requires a two-thirds majority vote in parliament to bring an amendment to the constitution. 

While Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has already expressed its support to the constitution amendment bill, Samajbadi Janata Party Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal have demanded that their long-standing calls for constitution amendment also be incorporated. Sources said the two parties are also likely to support the amendment bill. 

During an all-party meeting on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister KP Oli urged the top leaders of all political parties represented in parliament to unanimously endorse the constitution amendment bill that recognizes the government's decision to include Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura in Nepal’s national map. PM Oli asked all parties to help unanimously endorse the bill in order to give a message of national unity. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Shivamaya Tumbahangphe was scheduled to table the bill for discussions at parliament in a bid to amend Nepal's constitution to update the country’s map. However, the bill was removed from the parliamentary business as per NC's request to wait until the party could take a decision to this effect from its CWC meeting.

It requires a two-thirds majority vote in parliament to bring an amendment to the constitution. With the decision of the NC to vote in favor of the amendment bill, the government will now have the required two-thirds majority votes to amend the constitution. 

While Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has already expressed its support to the constitution amendment bill, Samajbadi Janata Party Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal have demanded that their long-standing calls for constitution amendment also be incorporated. Sources said the two parties are also likely to support the amendment bill. 

During an all-party meeting on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister KP Oli urged the top leaders of all political parties represented in parliament to unanimously endorse the constitution amendment bill that recognizes the government's decision to include Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura in Nepal’s national map. PM Oli asked all parties to help unanimously endorse the bill in order to give a message of national unity. 

 
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