Congress Deputy President Bhusal Criticizes Government Ordinance Use; UML Leader Gyawali Alleges Authoritarian Tendencies

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress Deputy President Pushpa Bhusal has commented that the government is trying to hijack constitutional bodies for private interests by amending laws through ordinances. 

Speaking at a program organized by Rastriya Janamorcha, Deputy President Bhusal said that bringing ordinances by stopping the session of parliament which has already been announced raises questions about the government's intentions. 

She also accused the government of attacking constitutional structures to achieve its own interests. Especially regarding the recommendation process for the Chief Justice, Bhusal expressed the view that there are signs of full control of the executive over the judiciary. 

She stated that the intervention in the council through ordinances, which weakens the basic structure of the constitution, should have been preceded by a recommendation process through the Constitutional Council after sufficient discussion with all parties. She expressed the fear that the government might further weaken the constitution by taking the help of ordinances to run the state power according to its convenience in the coming days. She also put forward the condition that before talking about constitutional amendment, the government should first commit by saying 'I respect the constitution'.

At the same program, CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali criticized the current government's style of functioning, saying it appears to be moving towards authoritarianism. He said that constitutional amendment is necessary to make the current system more organized and refined. Clarifying that UML is not against constitutional amendment, he demanded that the ruling party should first make its clear stance public on this matter.

Leader Gyawali emphasized that the basic structures of the constitution should not be tampered with just because there is the strength of a two-thirds majority, and all parties should unite to protect it. He also mentioned that the state of the country's nationality is currently in a very risky situation. Opposition leaders have warned the government that steps taken unilaterally by the government will diminish the dignity of democratic institutions.