Ruling Parties Divided Over Constitutional Amendment Timeline in Nepal

The debate over when to amend Nepal’s constitution has deepened following conflicting statements from the country’s top political leaders. While Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli suggested that constitutional amendments would only be possible by 2027, Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have expressed disagreement, arguing that the amendments should be made sooner to address the people’s needs.

During a program in Jhapa on Wednesday, NC General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma contradicted Oli’s assertion, emphasizing that constitutional amendments are a necessity and should not be postponed. Similarly, NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, speaking at the launch of the Kachankawal-Sagarmatha Awakening Campaign, called for immediate changes to the constitution, citing its obstruction of progress for the people.

The issue of constitutional amendments was a key part of the agreement when NC and CPN-UML formed a new ruling coalition in July 2023, replacing the CPN-MC. The coalition had committed to studying and amending the constitution. However, Sharma acknowledged that a two-thirds majority in both the Lower and Upper Houses is required for any constitutional changes, making the inclusion of the CPN-MC essential for passing any amendments.

In response to the divisions, Sharma reiterated the importance of consensus among all political parties, stressing that the constitutional amendments must be handled with broad political agreement. Meanwhile, Oli’s comment that amendments would be addressed after the 2027 general election has raised concerns, with Sharma asserting that no single party can unilaterally decide on the timeline without broader discussions.