Kathmandu, July. 3

Twenty-seven opposition parties including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the newly formed CPN-Maoist on Tuesday decided to request the President not to issue budget ordinance saying that it is unconstitutional.

They said that a caretaker prime minister cannot recommend for such an ordinance.

"A formal letter of request will be submitted to the President on Wednesday or Thursday" said Nepali Congress general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula.

The 27 parties include NC, CPN-UML, newly formed CPN-Maoist, Mahesh Janaadhikar Forum-Nepal, Rastriya Madesh Samajwadi party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, CPN (ML), Rastriya Janasakti Party, Samajwadi Janata Party, Nepal Sadabhawana Party (Anandi Devi), CPN (ML-Samajwadi), Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekata Party, Janawadi Morcha Nepal, Janamorcha Nepal, Sarbahara Party Nepal, Nepali Samajwadi Parishad, CPN (Marxist), Chure Bhawar Rastriya Party, CPN (Samyukta Marxist) and Nepali Janata Dal among others.

According to a statement issued by the UML after the meeting, the meeting held serious discussions on the preparations of the caretaker government to bring budget of the new fiscal year against the provision of constitution the verdict of the Supreme Court.

The meeting agreed that the caretaker prime minister should clear the path to form a consensus government instead of pushing the country into new political conflict and crisis.

After the meeting, UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said that opposition parties would jointly request the President to scrap the ordinance.

"The caretaker government has no rights to bring a budget in any form. It must clear the way for a national consensus government without delay," Nepal said.

Nepali Congress leader and former finance minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat said that a caretaker government has no right to bring budget even through ordinance.

CPN-Maoist leader Pampha Bhusal said the government has no right constitutionally, politically, practically and ethically to bring the budget.

"This government cannot even bring a partial budget," said CPN (ML) General secretary CP Mainali.

The statement said that Sunday’s Supreme Court verdict has suggested the government not to bring the budget.

Article 37 (2) of the Interim Constitution states that the government has executive rights but Article 43 (1) states that the government should run on the basis of political consensus and collaboration.

"This constitutional provision is still more relevant at a time when there is no legislature-parliament" the statement said.