‘Govt. not empowered to do this’

A group of eminent Nepali citizens have sought an end to the process of amending the country’s Constitution. The activists say that the government of Nepal which has been under pressure from the Madhesi parties for the amendments, is not empowered to introduce such fundamental changes.

“The right to reorganise the numbers and boundaries does not lie with the Nepal Government. There is no legal provision in place regarding redrafting these numbers and boundaries,” said a statement issued by the group explaining that the demand of the Madhesis should not be implemented as the elections are now under way in the country.

The issue of amendments, that includes reorganisation of the provincial boundaries, has come to the forefront because of the second round of local level elections to be held on June 14 in the plains of Nepal near the Indian border.

Madhesi parties have demanded that the government of PM Prachanda should address the need for amendments before the final phase of elections is held. The signatories that include former Nepal chief election commissioner Nilakantha Uparety, said the amendments would erode Nepal’s economic health.

Sympathy from India

The Madhesi demand had received sympathy from India with the MEA often urging Kathmandu to address growing dissatisfaction in the plains. However, news reports have indicated that there is a rethink in the MEA about asking for amendments in the Nepali Constitution.

The need for amendments have been a problem since the landmark document was adopted in September 2015. Following the adoption, Nepal witnessed a blockade enforced by the Nepalis from the plains that sections in Kathmandu blamed on India.