Himal Press 
CPN-UML Headquarters
KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has withdrawn its representative from a task force formed to prepare a discussion paper on constitutional amendments.
UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel informed task force coordinator Asim Shah through a letter on Thursday that Dr. Bhishma Adhikari, who had been serving as the party’s representative in the panel, has been recalled.
Earlier, representatives of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) and the Rastriya Janamorcha had walked out of the panel. Although Adhikari participated in the initial meetings of the task force, he had stopped attending in recent days.
Pokharel said in the letter that the task force’s proceedings had been questionable from the outset, with no clear identification of issues related to constitutional amendment. He added that the government’s stance on the fundamental structure of the current constitution had remained unclear.
UML also expressed concern that some of the issues brought forward for discussion appeared to be against the federal democratic republican system. It added that despite repeatedly seeking clarity from the government on these matters, there had been no response.
The UML said it has always remained committed to strengthening the fundamental aspects of the current constitution and addressing past negative practices and shortcomings through amendments. However, it accused the task force of pursuing objectives that undermine these principles.
“In the absence of any clear response from the government to our party’s proposals to date, we formally inform you that our representative has been withdrawn,” the letter sent by General Secretary Pokharel reads.
