Political parties in Nepal recommend 26 names for Constituent Assembly

Kathmandu, June 27 : Nine political parties have recommended the names of 26 for becoming members of the Constituent Assembly here today.

According to the Kantipur daily, the parties had agreed among themselves to allot quota for filling the 26 remaining vacant positions to the Constituent Assembly.

The Maoists have nominated nine members including Padam Jyoti, Hari Roka, Chandra Lal Meche, Indra Kumari Gurung, Kapil Lama, Harilal Thapa Magar, Dabal Bahadur Shah, Sher Bahadur Pahadi and Dhami Baram.

The Nepali Congress (NC) has picked five members including former Chief Justice and constitution expert Biswonath Upadhyaya, Radheshyam Adhikari, Nilambar Acharya, Jagat Tajpuriya and Man Bahadur Raute.

The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) has also picked five nominees including Pasang Sherpa, Mahesh Chaudhary, Sushil Chandra Amatya, Bhagwati Chaudhary and Shila Katila.

The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has put forth two names, Bhupendra Chaudhary and Mohamad Ikbal.

The other five parties have picked one name each.

Jana Morcha put forwarded the name of Narayankaji Shrestha, Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party has recommended Mahantha Thakur's name, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party has selected Jagge Bahadur Shahi, CPN-Marxist Leninist has picked Rajendra Khetan and Sadbhvana-Anandidevi has forwarded the name of Shyam Sundar Gupta.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the Constituent Assembly has been suspended after Madhesi party members demanded the withdrawal of the Amendment bill.

The meeting was suspended after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala announced his resignation. It has now been rescheduled for June 28.

Before the Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula could present the bill to introduce the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, members belonging to Madhesi parties created an uproar demanding that the points of agreement reached between the Government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UMDF) in March this year be included in the Amendment bill.

Due to the suspension, the Constituent Assembly could not initiate discussions on the Fifth Amendment bill, which has provisions for electing president, vice president, prime minister, Constituent Assembly chairman and vice chairman through simple majority

The provision is expected to end the political deadlock and allow the formation of new Government through the assembly floor.

ANI