UML MPs took strong stance against citizenship bill

The MPs of CPN (UML), the main opposition party in Parliament, have said that the Citizenship Bill should not be passed as it is. In today's meeting of the House of Representatives, they held the opinion that the bill sent back for reconsideration by President Bidya Devi Bhandari should be widely discussed and national consensus should be reached.

Member of Parliament Gokul Prasad Baskota, as the head of the state, said that the president has asked to reconsider the constitution and that the bill should be passed by national consensus.

MP Yagyaraj Sunuwar said that since citizenship is a sensitive issue, the bill should be passed with the consensus of all parties. Krishnagopal Shrestha said that issues like citizenship are not normal and the country can be troubled because of citizenship.

MP Jhapta Bahadur Rawal said that citizenship should be given to all Nepalis and foreigners should be given it only after completing a certain period. MP Narayan Prasad Khatiwada emphasized that since citizenship is a sensitive issue, it should be passed only after extensive discussion in the State Affairs Committee and Parliament.

"Citizenship has not been granted to foreign citizens in any country without setting a period. In India, Sonia Gandhi could not become the prime minister because she was an undocumented citizen", he said, "In Nepal too, a period should be set for granting citizenship to foreign citizens."

MP Khem Prasad Lohani said that the Citizenship Bill should not be passed like that. He said that the unanimous report prepared in the state system committee should be included in the bill. "Citizenship should not be granted immediately after marriage, it will make the country naturalized."

MP Krishna Prasad Dahal said that after reconsidering the message from the President, after three to four months, national consensus should be established and passed by the next Parliament. "There is no need to pass the bill that has been under discussion since 2075", he said, "let's establish a national consensus and pass it in the next parliament session."

Parliamentarian Sitaram Mahato said that since seven lakh youths are deprived of education without getting citizenship, citizenship should be given to those people.