Lalitpur: Leaders of major political parties have emphasized the need for political consensus in order to amend the constitution. Speaking at a Public Dialogue on Constitution Amendment held in the capital on Saturday, they acknowledged that while amendments are necessary, they have not been prioritized due to frequent government changes.

Nepali Congress leader Dr. Minendra Rijal stated that political parties recognize the need for constitutional amendments to address challenges in its implementation. However, he pointed out that instability in government has delayed the process. “This is not an unchangeable document,” Dr. Rijal said, adding that some challenges have arisen due to the lack of laws necessary to strengthen federalism.

CPN (UML) leader Raghuji Pant highlighted that the current coalition government is actively considering constitutional amendments to resolve complexities in implementation. He stressed that any amendment must be made through political consensus and acknowledged ongoing discussions among parties. However, he stated that there is no immediate plan to review federalism, despite concerns raised by some.

CPN (Maoist Centre) leader and former Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma described the constitution as a dynamic document that was always meant to be amended over time. She emphasized that issues such as the electoral system, governance structure, proportional inclusiveness, and citizenship laws should be prioritized in the amendment process.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar expressed support for constitutional amendments but cautioned against changes that only serve the interests of specific political parties. He emphasized that amendments should be for the greater good of the people and democracy rather than political convenience.

The event reflected a general consensus among political leaders that constitutional amendments are necessary, but they must be based on broad political agreement rather than partisan interests.