Most of the lawmakers participating at a meeting of UML´s parliamentary party on Tuesday, accused the apex court of infringing on the sovereign parliament´s jurisdiction.[break]
Lawyer-turned lawmaker Dhirendra Shrestha said the justices of the Supreme Court gave the verdict influenced by public sentiment that is generally against CA term extension irrespective of its consequences.
“SC has tried to enforce its verdict on the legislature. If we accept it silently and without reacting it will certainly set a very bad precedent,” Shrestha said at the meeting. “Some initiatives must be taken so as to protect the people-elected parliament´s prerogative and its supremacy." He urged the leadership to come up with the party´s official version on the matter.
Lawmaker Krishna Prasad Sapkota described the SC´s instruction to parliament as a blatant infringement of legislative rights of parliament.
"The issue requires a serious debate as the SC has made an attack on the rights of parliament," said Sapkota. He was of the view that the court overstepped its jurisdiction by instructing the legislature to go for a referendum or fresh polls in case of failure to promulgate the new constitution within the given time.
Another lawyer-turned lawmaker Sapana Malla Pradhan accused the court of overstepped its jurisdiction by intervening in political issues.
Similarly, lawmakers Radha Gyawali, Usha Kala Rai, Gopal Thakur, Pasang Sherpa and Sabitra Bhusal, among others, seconded Shrestha´s argument. They were of the view that the court order was tantamount to superceding the sovereign parliament´s rights and leading the country toward instability.
Responding to lawmakers´ queries, UML Chairman and parliamentary party leader Jhalanath Khanal said though they would respect the court´s verdict parliament was free to take decision on its own. Saying that people-elected parliaments are independent across the world, he said so is the case in Nepal.
"If we can accomplish most of the tasks of the constitution writing at the end of the CA tenure, will it be wise to go for a referendum or fresh polls?" said former Prime Minister Khanal. "The parties and parliament will take the decision at the same time if needed." He instructed the party lawmakers to be assertive about the rights of a CA member.
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