KATHMANDU: Leaders of various opposition parties in Parliament, including the Maoist Center, met with President Ram Chandra Paudel at Rastrapati Bhavan, Sheetal Niwas on Wednesday.
The meeting was led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, who heads the main opposition party, the CPN Maoist Center.
The opposition leaders briefed the President on the government's shortcomings, particularly regarding a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister KP Oli.
During the discussions, the opposition leaders conveyed the current political situation to President Paudel.
Kiran Pokharel, the President’s Press Adviser, stated that the leaders urged the President to act as a guardian of democracy and the Constitution, expressing concerns over activities that could undermine constitutional values and pluralism.
They requested that he safeguard both the Constitution and the nation.
In response, President Paudel reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the Constitution, national unity, and the welfare of the country.
He urged the opposition leaders to trust that he would act within the constitutional framework and uphold democratic principles.
"I want to assure you that I will work in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of democracy and the duties and limits of the President as defined by the Constitution," he stated.
Previously, the opposition parties had met with Prime Minister Oli to submit a memorandum addressing issues such as the proposed ordinance on party split.
They also indicated their intention to discuss this ordinance further with President Paudel, but details of any discussions on this topic were not disclosed.
It should be noted that Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba opposed Prime Minister Oli’s plans to introduce an ordinance on party division, particularly concerned about its potential impact on the CPN Unified Socialist Party.
Party President Madhav Nepal has expressed fears that efforts are being made to fracture his party.
Given these developments, the opposition leaders used their meeting with President Paudel to convey a clear message: if the government pushes forward with the party division ordinance, it will not be accepted.
Following pressure from the opposition, NC President Deuba has since backed down, reducing the likelihood of the ordinance being introduced in the near future.
The parliamentary opposition includes the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the Unified Socialist Party, the Aam Janata Party, and the Maoist Center.
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