JSP Nepal decides to reject land-related ordinance

Kathmandu, February 11 — The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal has decided to reject the land-related ordinance among the six ordinances introduced by the government.

On Tuesday, during a meeting of JSP Nepal's parliamentary party, the  decision was made to not support the land-related ordinance in the House, as informed by the party's chief whip, Rekha Yadav.

After the ordinance was included in the agenda of both houses on February 6, a parliamentary party meeting of JSP Nepal was held that same day. However, during the meeting, the ordinance was removed from the agenda, and JSP Nepal did not make any decision that day.

JSP Nepal, which holds a decisive role in the National Assembly regarding the passage of ordinances, had been the center of political discussions. The party was also accused of engaging in power bargaining. However, after the party decided not to support the land-related ordinance, uncertainty arose about its implementation.

JSP Nepal holds a decisive position in passing the ordinance in the National Assembly, with three MPs in the assembly. Without their three seats, the government cannot pass the ordinance.

Though JSP Nepal supported the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, it is not a part of the government. The party is neither in the federal nor in the provincial government, which has increased its bargaining power.

Both the ruling and opposition parties are now seeking the support of JSP Nepal. Prime Minister Oli, who is also the chair of the CPN (UML), and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba have even called the party to request their support for the ordinance. However, JSP Nepal has not agreed to it.

In the National Assembly, even though Bamdev Gautam has supported Congress and UML, they still lack one seat. The Rashtriya Janamorcha could provide support for the one seat, but since the party has clarified that it will not support the ordinance, the responsibility fell on Upendra Yadav's faction.

The National Assembly consists of 16 members from the Nepali Congress and 10 from the CPN (UML).

Additionally, UML's leader Anjana Shakya is a member through the nominated seat. Even if Bamdev Gautam supports the government, with the addition of one LSP member, the ruling coalition will have only 29 MPs.

To have a majority in the 59-member National Assembly, 30 MPs are needed.

While JSP Nepal has not supported the land-related ordinance, the party remains positive about the other five ordinances. The party has decided to vote in favor of the remaining five ordinances.