Nepalese president urges parties to back constitutional amendment

Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari urged political forces inside the parliament to focus on implementation of a new constitution and maintain national harmony in Nepal.

The president made remarks when she convened an all-party meeting at the Presidential Palace Sunday night.

"Bhandari expressed her anxiety over possible repercussions if the new constitution is not implemented," Vice Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Narayan Kaji Shrestha said.

The president called on political parties to work toward ensuring political stability in the country and forge consensus on the thorny issues relating to a constitutional amendment, said Shrestha.

"Parties need to be mindful about the country's sovereignty and national harmony while taking any kind of crucial decisions that may have impact for the long run," Bhandari said during the meeting.

Leaders from various ruling and opposition parties including Madhesi parties shared their views with the president at the meeting.

This meeting came amid squabbles between ruling and opposition parties over the constitutional amendment proposal tabled by the government last week.

The amendment bill seeks to carve out a new state in western Nepal to meet the demands of Madhesi parties, whose months-long protests last year left more than 50 people dead.

The opposition parties, including Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist), Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist Leninist), Rashtriya Janamorcha Party Nepal and Nepal Workers Peasants' Party, called protests against the bill. Endit