Patan (Lalitpur): Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has emphasized the need to protect and uphold Nepal’s current constitution. He described it as one of the country's major achievements, founded on the principles of inclusiveness and proportional representation.

Speaking at a program organized by the NC’s Professional and Intellectual Department in collaboration with the Democratic Lawyers' Association at the party’s office in Lalitpur on Wednesday, President Deuba acknowledged the challenges posed by the constitutional framework. He pointed out that while it makes it difficult for any single party to secure a majority in parliament, it has provided opportunities for women to reach top positions in governance.

“We have the best constitution. It is inclusive and proportional,” Deuba remarked. He added that the absence of a parliamentary majority is not the fault of any party but rather a reflection of the constitutional system in place. Urging party members to work harder in future elections, he emphasized the need to secure a majority of votes on their own. Deuba also welcomed a recommendation report presented to him during the event, which was compiled from interactions held in seven provinces. He noted that it reflects the perspectives of the people and will be helpful for the party.

During the program, NC Bagmati Province President Indra Bahadur Baniya highlighted the need to address certain weaknesses in the constitution to ensure political stability. Former Chair of the Administrative Court, Kashiraj Dahal, pointed out confusion over the allocation of rights outlined in the constitution’s schedules. He recommended adopting a fully proportional representation system to strengthen the National Assembly and stressed the need for inclusivity in appointments to constitutional bodies.

Department Chief Dr. Dila Sangraula emphasized addressing the challenges related to the implementation of the constitution. She shared that the Department had presented its suggestions to the party leadership and made them public. Key proposals include reviewing expenditures under the federal structure, considering making Nepal a Hindu state with religious freedom, increasing women’s participation in direct elections, reducing the number of constituencies and local levels, and assigning responsibility for education and health services to the federal government.