Prime Minister Believes Supreme Court Won't Block Citizenship Bill

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has expressed confidence that the Supreme Court (SC) will acknowledge the Citizenship Act approved by President Ram Chandra Poudel. In his address to the National Assembly, PM Prachanda discussed the significance of his visit to India and expressed his belief that the SC would not impede the Citizenship Act. He cited past instances where the Apex Court had reinstated the House of Representatives (HoR) when it was dissolved multiple times.

Prachanda stated, "Even the court will not go beyond the meaning and spirit of the constitution and democracy. Even in the past, there is a history of restoration of the court when the house was dissolved several times. I believe that, finally, the court's decision will be accepted by all of us."

The Supreme Court issued a short-term interim order on Jestha 21, temporarily halting the implementation of the Citizenship Bill in response to a petition filed against it. A discussion between the concerned parties has been scheduled for Jestha 26 to address the matter.

The Citizenship Bill, passed by the Federal Parliament in Shrawan 2079, was returned to the HoR with 15 points on Shrawan 29 without verification from then-President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Subsequently, both Houses passed the Citizenship Bill again, and on Bhadra 20, then-Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota sent it to the President for verification.

As per Article 113 (4) of the Constitution, President Bhandari was required to certify the bill within 15 days, by 5th Asoj. However, the bill was not certified by President Bhandari, who left office on Falgun 29. The bill was eventually approved by President Paudel, which sparked protests from opposition parties including CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

During the National Assembly (NA) session, UML MPs raised concerns about the Citizenship Bill. Prime Minister Prachanda assured them that the bill, which had been passed by both Houses and sent to the President, would not be nullified.

He further stated that if the President does not certify the bill, it is up to the President's discretion to certify or set a precedent. Prachanda explained that the President can only send the bill back to the Federal Parliament once, but has no authority to return or hold back a bill that has been passed for the second time.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Constitution does not permit the President to withhold a bill for the second time, as it derails the constitutional process. He appealed to the President, stating that validating the Citizenship Bill would bring the Constitution back on track from where it was derailed.

Prachanda reiterated that since the matter is now in court, it is appropriate to abide by the court's orders.