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Nepali Congress backs Oli govt. in vote on new map
Nepalis Congress support crucial to ensure passage in Parliament
The government of Nepal on Saturday secured crucial support of the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress (NC) to grant constitutional status to the updated map of the country that claims the disputed territory of Kalapani. A leading figure of the NC confirmed that the party has decided to back the move of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and help in passing the amendment next week. “Nepali Congress party today has decided to vote for constitution amendment regarding the new map,” said Dr. Minendra Rijal, a member of parliament, speaking to The Hindu on the phone from Kathmandu. Earlier reports had suggested that NC would support the government while urging it to resolve differences with India through diplomatic means. Several groups from among the Madhesi community of the Terai region, however, maintained that they were unlikely to support the amendment as it includes only the agenda of the revised map and does not address the issues relevant to people living in the plains of Nepal bordering Indian States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. However, Madhesi opposition is unlikely to significantly alter the outcome as the Nepal Communist Party of Prime Minister Oli can get the amendment passed easily with the support of the NC, led by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The map once constitutionally guaranteed will also figure in text books and other state symbols and official documents, currency notes. Experts said parliament’s stamp for the new map will alter the status quo from the Nepalese side and make a future solution difficult. Nepal has accused India of unilateral actions like building roads in the disputed Kalapani territory. Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has urged India to withdraw troops from KalapaniLipulekh region and restore status quo.
