Terai parties will suffer major set back if they oppose bill: UML gen secy

CPN (UML) General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal (File Photo)

CPN (UML) General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, Sunday, cautioned the Terai-based parties that they would "suffer a major set back" if they continue to oppose the supplementary bill the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) has decided to table for amending the constitution. He added that the supplementary bill would fully address the issues raised by Terai-based parties.

Khanal also said he sincerely hopes the SPA will reach a consensus with Terai-based parties on the supplementary bill during their meeting later in the day, but added that if the Terai based parties still oppose the bill then the SPA would be compelled to think of "other alternatives".

"The stance they (Terai-based parties) have taken now (for inclusion of 'Madhes as autonomous region' in the interim constitution) is not in the best interest of the people of terai including theirs too," he said talking to a local radio station Sunday morning.

Stating that disrupting the Constituent Assembly meeting is an irrational behavior, Khanal requested the Terai-based parties to put their agenda for discussion at the CA and move ahead towards finding an agreement on them.

It must be mentioned here that the three largest parties in the CA - CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (UML)- have already said their decision to table a supplementary bill at the CA would fully address the issues raised by Terai based parties. nepalnews.com ag July 06 08