CPN-UML holds mass demonstration to show their strength

Nine opposition political parties including the CPN-UML organized a mass

demonstration in the capital on Friday to protest the constitution amendment bill
aimed at addressing the demands of agitating Madhesi parties.
The parties have been claiming that the bill was anti-constitutional and against
national interests as it was brought out to serve interests of external forces.
In order to show the strength, around 150,000 people have participated in the
protest forcing the government to withdraw the constitution amendment bill. Redemarcation of the provincial boundary and citizenship issue are the two major
demands put forth by the Madhesis.
UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli among other leaders addresses the mass
demonstration held on a street at the Pradarshani Marga in front of the Nepal
Tourism Board and the City Hall.
The opposition parties', prior to a mass meeting, organizes rallies from over 40
areas across the Capital before reaching Bhrikutimandap for the meeting.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said that he was confident that the
principal opposition CPN-UML would end the obstruction in the Parliament and pave
the way for resumption of House proceedings after the recent Supreme Court
verdict.
If House proceedings remain closed for a long time, it will create crisis in the
country. Hence, the CPN-UML will support the tabling the statute amendment bill by
holding dialogue and allowing House proceedings to resume, said Deuba.
Stressing that the polls were a must for proper implementation of the constitution,
he said the three levels of polls must be held within the stipulated time of 13
months.
Deuba claimed that the constitution amendment bill would be endorsed from the
Parliament and it would address the concerns of the Madhesi community at any
cost.
However, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli said the government should not push the
constitution amendment bill following the Supreme Courts verdict and hope that
government would withdraw the bill before the Sunday's House meeting.
He said that anything which is against the constitution will be invalid as per the SC
ruling and the amendment bill registered by the government in the Parliament
violated the constitutional provision. He also said that the UML will not compromise
on issues such as nationality, democracy, social justice, national unity and
prosperity and cannot tolerate humiliation of dignity.

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