Kathmandu, March 14
Prime Minister KP Oli says he is open to the idea of amending the constitution if it strengthens national unity.
Oli, who hosted a tea party for both federal and provincial lawmakers in Kathmandu, said that the constitution shall be amended if it becomes necessary to do so.
“We will not amend the constitution if it affects our country and its sovereignty. But we will do it if it promotes national unity,” he added.
Oli’s statement has been seen as his attempt to please the Sanghiya Forum and the Rastriya Janata Party, two parties that have been demanding an amendment to the constitution to meet the demands of Madhesh. During his 2015 stint as Prime Minister Oli had adopted a rigid stance on the amendment issue, irking the Madeshi parties.
Following the election, Oli has been putting in effort to make amends with the Madheshi parties. The Prime Minister has held several rounds of negotiations with Forum Nepal and the RJP, and both parties voted in favour of the UML candidate during the Presidential Election. The two parties also voted in favour of Oli when he presented a motion of confidence in Parliament.
The two parties have been saying that Prime Minister Oli has repeatedly committed to amend the constitution. The RJP has been saying that it will only join the Oli Cabinet after the constitution is amended.
