Nepal's parliament approves disputed map, passes constitution amendment bill

- When Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new road from Lipulekh to Kailas Mansarovar, oil spilled in the stomach of Nepal

Kathmandu, Ta. 10 June 2020, Wednesday

In Nepal, the House of Representatives of the lower house has unanimously passed a constitutional amendment bill on a new and controversial map of the country. Amidst the border dispute with India, Nepal has shown Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in its territory in this new map. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shivamaya Thumbangfe presented it for discussion on the Constitution Amendment Bill to change the map of the country.

Will be sent to the President for approval
The Constitution Amendment Bill will now be sent to President Vidyadevi Bhandari for approval and the new map will take legal form as soon as they sign it. The debate on the map was frozen in Nepal's parliament until late Tuesday evening. In this regard, Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has requested for renegotiation with India.

Reason for not passing the bill earlier
A constitutional amendment proposal was due to be tabled in Parliament last month but Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli himself said he wanted to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue so could not move forward. The bill proposes to change the political map of Nepal included in the Third Schedule of the Constitution. Amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Find out what the controversy was
Nepal reacted harshly to the construction of the Mansarovar link at Lipulekh, India, claiming that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura were coming under its territory. In response, Nepal unveiled a new map outlining its three territories. All parties were united when it came to amending the constitution to get the map passed in the country's parliament. At the time, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli maintained a strong stance on the India issue.

New map in response to the road
Nepal protested when Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new road from Lipulekh to Kailash Mansarovar. Then on May 18, Nepal released a new map.

Nepal's claim unacceptable: India
India had expressed outrage over Nepal's claims and warned the neighboring country to avoid such unreasonable claims, saying it would be unacceptable to make such an artificially exaggerated claim.

The breakdown in relations between the two countries
Nepal's move has had a major impact on its relations with India and India has made it clear that it will not compromise with its sovereignty. The External Affairs Ministry said the border dispute would have to be resolved through discussion. Nepal then started work on a years-old road project near the Pithoragarh border. This road is considered to be strategically very important where Nepal is showing its occupation.

Prime Minister Oli's chair survived because of the map
Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Madhav Kumar Oli of the Nepali Communist Party were demanding his resignation but now there is silence between them. An aide to Madhav said the country was in a "critical situation" so it would be "unethical" to demand the resignation of the Prime Minister. Opposition groups called for the beleagured PM to resign, but said that maintaining some independence was not the answer. According to a report, Oli's chair has survived due to a border dispute with India.