Parties remain adamant on their stances regarding statute amendment bill
KATHMANDU, Dec 22: The political stalemate that began after the government registered a seven-point constitution amendment bill in the parliament has grown further complicated as the ruling parties are pushing forward it despite protests from various opposition parties.

The major political parties did not even sit for formal negotiations, let alone reach to any agreement to resolve the political stalemate, even as House Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar on Sunday gave three days' time for them to reach an agreement. House proceedings remain obstructed by various opposition parties since the amendment bill was registered on November 30.

Although Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has spoken in public that the issue of House obstruction would be resolved through a package deal with the main opposition party, CPN-UML, leaders within the ruling parties cast doubt over such a deal until both the sides leave their respective stances. 

A senior leader of the ruling CPN (Maoist Center) said although the prime minister has been saying that the issue of House obstruction would be resolved through a package deal with the UML, there is no prospect of resolving the current political impasse any time soon.

 "The stalemate is likely to stay here until the government steps back from its stance to push forward the amendment bill in the parliament despite reservation from opposition parties," said the leader, asking not to be named. 

The leader also said that there has not yet been any discussion about the package deal that the prime minister is referring to within the party. "We, in the party, are not aware of any such package deal that the prime minister will offer for agreement with the opposition parties," the leader further said.

CPN-UML Standing Committee member Shanker Pokhrel said the UML would lift the House obstruction and its ongoing protests only if the government withdraws the constitution amendment bill from the parliament, and announces date of local election.

 "Although the ruling parties seem to be putting the bill on a hold for now, they have been insisting that this cannot be withdrawn. There is no chance of reaching an agreement until the government changes this stance," he said.

Asked if the ruling parties had approached them with a package deal, Pokhrel said they have not received any such proposal yet. 

"There has not been any such offer made by the ruling parties yet. But no matter what we cannot support the amendment bill that has been tabled in the parliament," Pokhrel further said. 

The amendment bill that, among other things, proposes to hive off hill districts from Province 5 has ignited protests of opposition parties in various districts in mid-western Nepal. The main opposition party along with other opposition parties has also been obstructing parliament demanding the withdrawal of the amendment bill.

 
• political stalemate
 
• local polls
 
• constitution amendment bill
 
• protests