http://www.newsfront.com.np/#
Call of conscience - At a time when G P Koirala and the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) are going euphoric about parliament declaring Nepal a 'Republic", records show many members, especially belonging to Nepali Congress and the UML had defied party whips.
Out of 322 members in parliament, about 35 defied party instructions to be present and vote in manner instructed. Most notable of those who defied the whip include Taranath Ranabhat of the Congress and Khadga Oli of the UML. Their absence confirms their displeasure and belief that this parliament has no right to pass a resolution of this magnitude without a fresh mandate from the people.
"Yes, I followed the dictate of my conscience. I will not be a party to any process that undermines the right of the sovereign people to decide the issues of crucial importance for the country", Ranabhat told Newsfront. Former Prime Minsiter Oli was not available for comment. It is not yet known what actions the parties contemplate against them, but the UML seems to be more eager to punish the dissenters than Nepali Congress. The members had been issued whips to be present in the House and vote as per the official line that favoured Nepal being declared republic now and leaving it to the CA to implement it. "It's absurd and unacceptable that a future CA has to work under directive from the present House", said Ranabhat.
Former Prime Minister K P Bhattarai and P L Singh are the only two members who have not attended any session of the revived parliament. "This parliament has outlived its mandate. My conscience does not allow me to participate in its proceedings", Singh told Newsfront. Former Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka is away in his home town Surkhet while another Congress member Govinda Bahadur Shah is abroad.
Although more than 50 MPs from the Congress party had warned Koirala not go for the current resolution as that would 'amount to surrender' to the Maoists, they obeyed the party line once the whip was issued. But they have made their reservation known to Koirala. Those who obeyed the whip 'to save the party from a split' include former Ministers Khum Bahadur Khadka ,Govindaraj Joshi, Bijay Gachedar and Arjun Narsingh K C . They had decided to fall in line after Koirala took the position that defiance of whip might invite disciplinary actions like expulsion from the party which will also mean their not being able to contest the CA poll as the party candidate.
A senior leader of the UML said that the party is investigating into the defiance and take stern action once full details are available.
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