Former Minister Gyawali Warns Against Anti-Constitutional Amendments Without Public Vigilance

Kathmandu. Former Minister and Central Committee member of CPN (UML) Pradip Gyawali has commented that anti-constitutional and regressive amendments cannot be stopped if the public does not remain vigilant. He made this comment while speaking at a discussion program on 'The Role of Leftist Parties in the Current Political Situation' organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of Pushpalal Memorial Day on Friday.

Gyawali stated that even if the Maoist Center, CPN (UML), and Nepali Congress, which played a major role in constitution-making, unite, they will not be able to stop the government's regressive attempts in the House of Representatives. He said that there is a need for a working unity among all democratic and leftist parties to overcome the political and constitutional risks arising in the country.

Speaking about the balance of power in the country, Gyawali said, 'The country's balance of power has become extremely unfavorable. Even if the three parties that played a major role in constitution-making – the Nepali Communist Party, CPN (UML), and Nepali Congress – unite, we cannot stop the government's attempts in the House of Representatives.'

He further added, 'Let's hope the National Assembly will provide checks and balances. But if the public does not remain vigilant, we are in a situation where we cannot stop adverse and regressive amendments to the constitution.'

Gyawali claimed that the government's recent activities have increased the risk of the country getting caught in a geopolitical vortex. He stated that the frequent visits of military officials from Western powers, 'Free Tibet' related activities, programs related to the Dalai Lama, and the Prime Minister's statement in parliament have the risk of pushing the country into a complex geopolitical situation.

Commenting on geopolitical risks, he said, 'Activities like Free Tibet, the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations, discussions that could lead to the birth of a Dalai Lama, and the self-destructive statement made by the Prime Minister in parliament that Nepal has also encroached upon India's borders, have created a risk that Nepal could unknowingly be pushed into a geopolitical vortex.'

Gyawali said that attempts are being made to tamper with the fundamental principles in the name of constitutional amendment, and citizens' rights are being eroded. He commented that although the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has embraced social democracy as its political philosophy, the government's policies and actions do not align with that principle.

Criticizing the RSP's policy, Gyawali said, 'The party that calls itself a social democrat is charging three percent tax even for keeping a corpse in a morgue for one night in its budget. Based on such naked neoliberal policies, the working people are being troubled.'