The agreement of the first meeting of the ruling party: To hold all-party discussions for the amendment of the constitution

The seven-point agreement reached between Congress and UML in the third week of June includes the subject of constitutional amendment. It was discussed in the meeting of the ruling party keeping this as a priority. The conclusion of the meeting is that only if the constitution is amended according to the agreement of all parties, it will be more refined and acceptable. Mahesh Bertaula, the chief whip of UML, who participated in the

meeting, said that there will be a comprehensive discussion for the amendment of the constitution by considering the weak and strong aspects of the constitution. "It has been discussed to revise the constitution in a more refined manner by removing the confusions from the opposition," he said. The main opposition Maoist has accused Congress and UML of trying to amend the constitution and revert to the 2047 constitution.

Chief whip of Congress Shyam Kumar Ghimire said that for the amendment of the constitution, the consent of more parties and stakeholders is needed. "An agreement has been reached for amendments with the aim of creating a more advanced constitution," he said. Ranjita Shrestha, chairperson of Civil Liberation Party, who participated in the meeting, informed that the meeting was more focused on the issue of constitutional amendment. When the constitution was issued, many parties were dissatisfied. It was emphasized that a better constitution should be made by addressing those dissatisfactions, she said.

A two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is required to amend the constitution. At least 184 MPs are required for two-thirds of the 275-member House of Representatives. The number of MPs of Congress and UML adds up to 167. UML MP Top Bahadur Rayamazhi is suspended. Speaker Devraj Ghimire will be allowed to vote only in the event of a tie. Congress and UML will have to gather 18 more MPs for two-thirds. Preparations are underway for an alliance to take the support of RPRPA (14), Janmat (6), Janata Samajwadi (5) and other parties.

However, the arithmetic of the National Assembly is not favorable for the power coalition. At least 40 votes are required for two-thirds in the 59-member National Assembly. In the National Assembly, Maoists have 17 MPs, Congress has 16 MPs and UML has 10 MPs. For two-thirds, the main two parties need the support of 14 more MPs. In the National Assembly, there are 8 MPs from the United Samajwadi Party, 3 from JSP Nepal, 1 from LOSPA, 1 from Jan Morcha and 3 nominated MPs. Congress and UML need the support of all these parties and nominees to reach two-thirds in the National Assembly.

Similarly, in the meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli mentioned that efforts are being made to encircle the government to weaken it and said that strong unity between the ruling parties is necessary. "If there are sometimes disagreements between the ruling parties, they can be resolved through discussion," he said. Oli has been pointing towards the main opposition Maoists and RSVP and accusing them of coming against the government in a biased manner. He says that after leaving the government, the Maoists started making accusations against him in an impulsive and biased manner.

Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba supported Oli's statement and emphasized on the unity of the ruling party. The unity of the ruling party makes the government stronger. The work is also good," said Deuba. Congress chief whip Ghimire said that the decision to hold regular meetings was made because the government would be strong on the basis of good relations between the ruling parties. "There may be complaints within the ruling party, it has been resolved through discussion and a decision has been taken to strengthen the coalition government," he said.

UML chief Sachek Bertaula said that the ruling party has agreed to make the work of the parliament and the government effective. "The main thing is to move forward with integrated initiatives and work to strengthen the government," he said Immunity President Shrestha said that all major leaders emphasized to make it effective. In the

meeting, there was a general review of the functioning of the government. Prime Minister Oli said that this government has started working to overcome disappointment. The ruling party has also decided to hold a meeting of the ruling party every week. A four-member task force was formed on Sunday to formulate a common minimum program for the government. One member said that the task force has started homework to write the program. "Mainly, a common program will be made based on the seven-point agreement between the two parties," he said. The leaders suggested that the common program of the ruling party should address the concerns and grievances of the common people.

A meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held in Baluwatar on Sunday formed a working group to decide the minimum common program of the government. General Minister Gagan Thapa and Spokesperson Prakasharan Mahat from Congress and Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali and Vishnu Rimal from UML are members of the working group.