Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has expressed concern that the integrity and balance of the Constitutional Council are being undermined. He said the body, originally intended to check unilateral decisions by the Prime Minister, is now being used contrary to its intended spirit.

Thapa emphasized that the Prime Minister should not exercise undue influence within the council, noting that it was established to prevent coercive practices by the head of government. He warned that recent actions have disregarded this constitutional safeguard.

Reflecting on his role as coordinator of the constitutional committee during the constitution-drafting process, Thapa highlighted the inclusion of the right to housing and rights of Dalits as fundamental rights. He explained that the term landless Dalit was incorporated to address the historical discrimination that left many Dalits without land or secure housing.

Thapa noted that Nepal is among the few countries, alongside South Africa, to enshrine the right to housing as a fundamental right — a provision achieved after extensive debate and struggle. He called for a firm commitment to the constitutional spirit governing both appointments to constitutional bodies and the protection of marginalized groups’ rights.