Opposition Parties Protest Government’s Recommendation for Ordinances

Kathmandu: Following the government's recommendation to issue ordinances on significant matters, including the Constitutional Council and the Cooperatives Act, just days after the prorogation of the Federal Parliament session, opposition parties have voiced strong opposition.

A joint meeting of the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Nepali Communist Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party termed this move by the government as undemocratic and unparliamentary, demanding an immediate halt. The opposition sharply criticized the government, accusing it of attempting to rule through a "backdoor" while ignoring the parliament.

In a joint press release issued by the four opposition parties, a strong demand was made to withdraw the half-dozen ordinances recommended on April 27 and 28. They claimed that the proposed amendments, particularly concerning the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, and Powers) Act and the Cooperatives Act, would increase government interference in constitutional bodies and matters of public concern. The opposition argued that resorting to ordinances instead of calling a parliamentary session raises serious questions about the government's intentions.

The four parties also made a sincere request to the President not to approve these ordinances. Urging the President not to seal these ordinances brought with the intent of bypassing parliament, the opposition described it as an opportunity to protect the Constitution. The opposition front has formed a common stance to have the recommendation sent to the President withdrawn and to maintain parliamentary supremacy.

Furthermore, the opposition parties have demanded that the government immediately summon a session of the Federal Parliament, which was recently adjourned. Maintaining that policy-making and law-making should occur within the parliament—the representative body of the people—they warned of strong protests if their demands are not met. The joint statement was signed by Bhishmaraj Angdembe of the Nepali Congress, Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' of the UML, Yubaraj Dulal of the CPN, and Saraswati Lama of the RPP.