KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Main opposition CPN-UML has asked the neighboring countries and the international community to refrain from expressing gratuitous concerns over Nepal's internal affairs, taking sides and intervening into domestic issues.

The second-largest party has also claimed that Nepal's political parties and the people are capable enough to handle internal issues and that Nepal is well able to steer the country in the direction of progress.

“We expect goodwill of friends from across the world in favor of Nepal. But, we appeal to the neighboring countries and the international community to refrain from expressing gratuitous concerns over Nepal's internal affairs, taking sides, and intervening into domestic issues and any other such activities,” read a statement issued by party spokesman Yogesh Bhattarai after a standing committee meeting of the party on Monday.

The main opposition UML, which has been leading protests in various districts and obstructing parliament proceedings against the constitution amendment bill registered by the government in parliament last week, has decided to intensify the protests across the country.

The UML statement has come a day after India welcoming the constitution amendment bill, which proposes splitting Province-5, changing citizenship provisions and criteria on representation in the National Assembly. India's Ministry of External Affairs had welcomed the move of Nepal government for bringing the amendment bill.

India, which had only 'noted' the promulgation of the new constitution in Nepal last year, has been suggesting to the government to address the demands of Madhes-based political parties.
 
The second largest political party in parliament has also accused the major ruling political parties of inciting communal conflict by provoking the people. “Leaders speaking at the meeting were of the view that ruling parties are inviting confrontation by provoking people against the UML,” said a secretary of the party, Bhim Acharya.

In the statement, the party has also expressed serious objections to the remarks of some of the leaders from the ruling parties against the UML.

“Our party condemns the activities of the leaders and parties from the ruling side to obstruct the activities of the UML, and vandalism of the residences of the party's leaders and others,” reads the statement.

The UML has urged the government to withdraw the amendment bill from parliament and focus on creating favorable environment for the elections by resolving the problems through dialogue. 

 
• cpn-uml
 
• nepal's internal affair
 
• constitution amendment bill