Congress Criticizes Rastriya Swatantra Party for Enrolling Minors as Members

Kathmandu. The main opposition party Nepali Congress has objected to the ruling party Rastriya Swatantra Party passing a proposal from its general convention to make children under 18 years of age party members, stating it is against the constitution. Nepali Congress MPs Chandra Bahadur KC and Jagat Timilsina raised such objections during the National Assembly meeting on Monday.

KC and Timilsina drew the attention of the government and the Election Commission, stating that the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has been distributing party membership to children under 18 years of age, contrary to the prevailing law.

Citing statistics released during the first general convention of the RSP, they recalled the Constitution of Nepal and the Political Parties Act, 2073. "According to the law, children who have not reached 18 years of age cannot be made members of a political party. Doing so carries a fine of eighty thousand rupees and imprisonment for up to 3 years," said Timilsina. "Is the RSP above the constitution? Is it okay for them not to follow the law?"

MP Timilsina questioned the legality of various office-bearers and central members of the RSP, who were elected by climbing the "ladder of votes" of children. "There is a clear provision in the Children Act, 2075, which prohibits the use of children for political purposes," said Kaucha. "How can the executive committee, which stands on the foundation of those children who were made members against the law, be legal?"

Another MP, KC, criticized that on one hand, students are not allowed to do politics, and preparations are being made to abolish the Free Student Unions and student organizations, but on the other hand, the party participating in the government itself is showing the tendency of making young children carry bags in their own party. "Is it appropriate for the government, which talks about keeping students away from politics, to line up children for membership in its own party?" said KC.