Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Claims Stake in Constitution

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Yagyamani Neupane has claimed that the RSP is also a 'stakeholder' in the constitution. Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of Constitution Day, he recalled that during the constitution-making process, they continuously pressured to not stop the constitution-making process from the streets. He stated that the RSP's emergence itself was with the objective of implementing the constitution and taking its values and principles to the citizen level. Neupane accused the old political parties of not implementing the system in accordance with the spirit of the constitution. He clarified that even though his own party is in government, they will continuously monitor if unconstitutional acts occur. Mentioning that the constitution ensures the right to question, he warned that if it is suppressed, despotism will be born. He claimed that the MPs of the Rastriya Swatantra Party have not questioned out of ignorance or lack of understanding, and stated that they will never shy away from questions. He said that they are playing a constructive role in making the parliament an effective institution for the protection of democracy, rule of law, and human rights. Speaking at the program, Neupane expressed his views on the right to question and democracy. 'The constitution has given the right to question, and this is democracy,' he said, 'If anyone suppresses the right to question, despotism will be born.' Clarifying the issue of questioning even when his own government is in power, he added, 'We are not questioning out of ignorance or lack of understanding, we never shy away from questions and will not stop questioning. Do not call us the opposition, we are constructive members of the ruling party.' He mentioned that some people are boasting that only they are proponents of the constitution, and stated that the RSP is also a true stakeholder of the constitution. 'Yesterday, when the constitution was being made, the leaders of the old political parties were fishing in troubled waters,' he said, 'We, who are now in the Rastriya Swatantra Party, are the ones who came down to the streets of Khulamanch and Tundikhel and pressured them not to stop the constitution-making process.' He urged that one should not even imagine that RSP leaders and cadres do not understand the constitution or attack it. 'This constitution is a document we have obtained and snatched,' he said, 'A new party has been born to implement this constitution and take its values and principles to the citizen level.' He also accused the old parties of misusing the principles of inclusion and proportionality. 'By bringing the principle of proportionality, only individuals like Arzu Deuba and Manju Khand have been promoted,' he commented, 'Even though our names were not found in the document when the constitution was promulgated, the citizens have played the main role in bringing and protecting it.' He reiterated that the RSP will remain continuously committed to preserving the spirit of the constitution and its full implementation and protection.