KATHMANDU, Dec 15: After the government issued the controversial ordinance on the Constitutional Council, Sher Bahadur Deuba, a member of the council and leader of the main opposition party – Nepali Congress, has decided not to attend the meeting called for 5 pm on Tuesday.
Stating that the government has done wrong by issuing ordinances related to the Constitutional Council, party’s Joint Secretary Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat informed.
He said that party President Deuba will not participate in today’s meeting.
Earlier President Bidya Devi Bhandari issued the Ordinance Related to the First Amendment to the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties and Rights and Responsibilities, and Work Procedure), 2077 BS.
The Head of State issued this ordinance in accordance with Article 114 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal and on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, spokesperson at the Office of the President, Badri Nath Adhikari, said.
After the Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota was absent from the council meeting scheduled on Tuesday morning, PM KP Oli-led government had recommended to the President to issue the ordinance. The President had immediately issued the ordinance on the recommendation of the government.
It has clearly reflected the wider divisions and intra-party conflict in the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). According to reports, party Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has obstructed the participation of Speaker Sapkota at the Council meeting.
The Ordinance has incorporated the policy of majority instead of consensus. Prime Minister leads the Council meeting where Speaker, leader of main opposition party, Chairman of National Assembly and Chief Justice are the members.
