Janata Samajwadi Party formed after unification of Rastriya Janata Party (RJP) and Socialist Party Nepal has decided to vote in support of the amendment bill to change the map of Nepal in the coat of arms in the Constitution to implement the new map.
The party's meeting of office-bearers on Friday has taken a decision to that regard. "We have decided to vote in support of Constitution amendment," Janata Samajwadi Chairman Upendra Yadav told Setopati.
The party has also decided to issue whip instructing its lawmakers to vote in support on the amendment bill. It has called the parliamentary party meeting for 11 Saturday morning for that.
Socialist Party lawmaker Sarita Giri has lodged an amendment proposal against the bill and has since been instructed by her party to withdraw her proposal. But she has yet to withdraw it despite warning of action.
Chief whip of the party Uma Shankar Argariya told Setopati that Giri has also been invited to the parliamentary party meeting. "She can withdraw the amendment proposal even during the discussion after the bill is presented in the House meeting," he stated. "We will also discuss the issue in the parliamentary party meeting before that."
The Constitution amendment bill brought to implement the new map including areas of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh is set to be passed on Saturday.
The government on May 20 published the new map including Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura. The territorial area of Nepal has increased by 335 square kilometers with inclusion of the territory up to Limpyadhura.
The government then registered the Constitution amendment bill to amend the schedule of the Constitution, wherein the map in the coat of arms does not include the territory including Limpiyadhura, to implement the new map.
Law Minister Shiva Maya Tungbahamphe had presented the bill to the House on May 31. Deliberation on the bill started Tuesday afternoon. A total of 84 lawmakers spoke on the bill. The lawmakers were then given 72 hours to lodge amendment proposal on the bill and the deadline expires at 8:30 Friday evening.
Secretary with the House of Representatives (HoR) Gopal Nath Yogi told Setopati that the schedule to pass the amendment bill on Saturday has been prepared.
Lawmakers will hold clause-wise discussion on the Constitution amendment bill before it is tabled for decision. Lawmakers will then sign in support of and against the bill for voting.
Constitution amendment requires two-third majority of the House.
The main opposition Nepali Congress has already decided to support the bill brought by the government while the decision of Janata Samajwadi on Friday means all political parties in the federal parliament will vote for the bill.
The coat of arms will be changed once President Bidya Devi Bhandari authenticates the amendment if it is passed by the House.
