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The present NC-UML coalition government was formed five months ago. One of the aims of the formation of the new government was the amendment of the constitution. However, the ruling parties have not focused on the amendment of the constitution. Moreover, the leaders in the ruling alliance are saying that through an amendment, the Vice President will get the responsibility to chair the National Assembly, from which, the financial burden on the government treasury will reduce. How much money the nation saves while doing so, can be assumed. The reality is that the present constitution has become a white elephant for the nation. The government is feeding the white elephant by borrowing debts domestically and also from international financial institutions. How long to feed the white elephant, is a burning issue. Moreover, the government, in the name of increasing revenue, has imposed a very high rate of taxation on the people, which affected adversely the private sector investment.    

We believe nothing is going to happen from minor amendments to the constitution. The major problem is excessive non-productive sector expenditure that occurred since we adopted the present federalism, secularism and republicanism. If we remove the provincial structures, a large amount of expenditure can be saved. Accordingly, there is no need for the national assembly just for electing party workers as the national assembly members. Also, in a Nepal-like country, there is no need for such a large federal House of Representatives. The number of the MPs should be reduced. Also, the proportional election system has become a mechanism rewarding wives, in-laws and other relatives to the post of MP. Accordingly, this mechanism has become a money-making machine for the supreme leaders of the political parties as businessmen and rich people are being assigned to the post of the MP by taking a hefty amount of money.

The leaders talk about meritocracy but they assign party workers through a Bhagbanda among the major political parties. As a result, the judiciary has become a venue for recruiting judges on the basis of political Bhagbanda. The Commission for Investigating Abuse of Authority has also become the venue for recruiting party-loyal people. Likewise, the universities, and Police Force, among others, have become the venue for recruiting or promoting those who are close to the party leadership. Unless we remove the Bhagbanda system, neither CIAA can become effective nor the judiciary can become impartial and independent. In conclusion, the constitution is needed an overhaul by dismantling the present secularism, federalism and republicanism. If the leaders in the government deny it, sooner or later, another people’s movement is in the offing.