Constitution amendment is for political stability: PM Oli

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 20: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the constitution will be amended with the consensus of all parties as far as possible for political stability in the country. Prime Minister Oli, who is also the chairperson of the main organising committee of the Constitution Day and National Day celebration, expressed this view while addressing a special ceremony held at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel on Thursday.

Prime Minister Oli said, "We can address political instability through the process of constitutional amendment to some extent. There is national interest in this regard undoubtedly. I want to assure you that in the amendment process, we will not only look at the mathematical numbers in Parliament. We will make maximum efforts to achieve consensus among all parties, not just the parties in the government."

The Prime Minister said, "The constitution must be made timely. Making it timely means removing or modifying provisions that are not suitable. In my opinion, amending the constitution means making changes where the letter and spirit of the constitution are not aligned or where there are obstacles. It means amending the problematic aspects of the existing constitution."

Clarifying that the constitution is being amended to strengthen and make the rights of the people more effective, the Prime Minister said, "I know that every citizen wants to link their emotions with the spirit of the constitution. They want the things written in the constitution to be implemented in practice. When that doesn’t happen, the general public sometimes feels disappointed. I mentioned during the vote of confidence in Parliament that perhaps, for the first time since 1990, the current generation has carried and expressed such deep disappointment. I see that there is immense energy, a burning desire to do something, motivation, and dreams, especially among the youth."

Similarly, Prime Minister Oli said that the Nepali society does not want to become a playground for anarchists, rude, and indisciplined individuals.

He said that the country desires a model society where older generations show affection to younger ones and the youth respect their elders.

"The society we want is not a playground for anarchists, rude, and indisciplined people. It is a model society where the older generation shows affection to the younger, and the young adults respect their elders. Such a model society will be peaceful, civilised, and cultured," said Prime Minister Oli.

Stating that they aim for a peaceful, civilised, cultured, and prosperous society, the Prime Minister mentioned that they have established a federal democratic republic with a system of healthy competition.

He said that good governance, meaning the rule of law, transparency, and accountability, is an integral condition of our democracy.

'Basudhaiba Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) is an ideal phrase that we have been hearing for centuries. We Nepali consider the entire world as one family. We maintain our foreign relations by regarding everyone as brothers and sisters. Friendship with all, enmity with none, is the essence of our foreign policy," said Prime Minister Oli. 

"We maintain good neighbourly relations with our neighbours. We want to maintain mutual relations with all friendly nations around the world. I have already said that our country is a multilingual, multicultural, and multiethnic nation. Our nation is built by all of us together, protecting, promoting, and developing the language, culture, and traditions of all ethnicities," said the PM.

Prime Minister Oli also emphasised that it is everyone’s duty and responsibility to strengthen the current governance system and stand in its favour.

"Our system of governance is a federal democratic republic. This is not a continuation of the autocratic rule of any dynasty, but a progressive system driven by the process where the people choose their own rulers. It will not regress now," Prime Minister Oli said. 

"This system has been created by us, the people, ending an unjust state system. It is our supreme duty and responsibility to strengthen this system and stand in its favour," he said. 

Organised by the Constitution Day Main Ceremony Organising Committee, the ceremony was graced by President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-president RamSahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Oli, and other distinguished figures of the constitutional bodies. 

Before Prime Minister Oli's speech, various cultural shows, including dances and songs, were showcased during the ceremony. The Nepali Army showered flowers from helicopters and demonstrated various military skills. On the occasion, white doves, symbolising peace, were also released.