Bishwaprakash Warns: UML Must Retract Cooling‑Off Amendment or Coalition Will face problems

Kathmandu – Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma issued a warning that if the UML does not withdraw the amendment it introduced in the National Assembly to remove the “cooling-off period,” a rift within the ruling coalition would emerge.

Speaking on Tuesday at the program marking the 43rd BP Memorial Day, General Secretary Sharma highlighted that while a two-year cooling-off period had been unanimously agreed upon in the House of Representatives, UML’s institutional move in the National Assembly to seek its removal has caused serious concern. The amendment filed by UML is seen as undermining the prior consensus from the committee stage.

Sharma described UML’s effort to remove the cooling-off provision as a potential disaster. He urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to respect the divergent views and opinions within coalition parties. Given that even a single party often fails to reach internal consensus, he emphasized the necessity for coalition partners to reconcile their separate stances and find a common ground

Sharma stated:

“Regarding the provision passed by the State Affairs Committee, a special investigative committee has been formed via the respected Speaker to examine any wrongdoing, and appropriate punitive measures should follow. Simultaneously, we appealed unanimously through the committee and urgently called for revision of the amendment in the National Assembly. While cohabiting, all must agree—but if revisions continue to be introduced in the National Assembly and lead toward disaster, our understanding will inevitably fracture.”

He appealed to the Prime Minister for a solution to the coalition’s internal issues. The Federal Civil Service Bill had established that public employees who resign or retire must observe a two-year waiting period before becoming eligible for another appointment. That provision had received support from UML, and a special probe committee was already investigating alleged irregularities. Congress has become increasingly dissatisfied with UML’s stance, especially as tensions have also risen over the Land Bill