Ruling coalition lawmakers trade words over federalism, religion

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers from the ruling coalition were engaged in a heated debate in parliament on Wednesday over the issues of federalism and secularism.

Raghuji Pant of CPN-UML and Dhawal Shamsher Rana of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) exchanged words on the matters of religion and federalism. Rana rebutted Pant after the latter criticized Minister for Urban Development Minister, Bikram Pandey, for his comments against federalism. Rana told Pant not to belittle the RPP, as people voted for the party because they supported its agendas.

Earlier, Pant had accused Minister Pandey of disregarding the instructions of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Minister Pandey had made comments against federalism during a recent program in Chitwan.  Pandey said in the program that RPP has not accepted federalism and that the party was opposing secularism and talking about the monarchy.

Speaking in the parliament, Pant drew the attention of ministers to not go against the basic principles of the constitution and reminded them that they had taken an oath to work according to the law and constitution.

Prime Minister Dahal has said that he would seek clarification from ministers who make comments against federalism and the republican system.

Rana responded to Pant, stating RPP had entered parliament with the objective of establishing a democracy with a monarchy. “RPP may be a small party. But we understand the sentiments of Nepali people. We are here to reinstate the Hindu state,” he added. “The constitution doesn’t prevent us from doing this. This is not an entrenched clause,” Rana said. “We should be allowed to speak. We will speak, and implement our agendas in due course of time. But this doesn’t mean that we won’t follow this constitution and this system.”

He further said the party will implement its agendas by remaining within the constitution.