Kathmandu: Terming it as "unconstitutional" a defiant Nepalese Vice President on Sunday refused to obey Supreme Court's directive asking him to re-take oath of office in Nepali language or resign from his post.
While the government asked Vice President Parmananda Jha to follow the apex court's order by taking oath again at the end of a seven-day deadline today, his aides indicated he was going on leave for an indefinite period.
At a press conference today, Jha said he would consider taking a fresh oath only if the government and the Parliament endorse an amendment bill, under consideration in Parliament, granting recognition to all languages spoken in Nepal.
"The court's order to re-take oath of office is wrong and unconstitutional as I have already taken oath of office last year in the presence of President, then Prime Minister,
Supreme Court Chief Justice... and for the purpose of government record I have signed in the format of the oath of office written in Nepali language," he said reading from a statement at a crowded press conference.
The SC verdict had left Jha with two options, either resign from his post or re-take oath in Nepali.
Neither did Jha resign, nor is he likely to attend a fresh oath-taking ceremony, with an aide indicating that he would go on a leave from Monday and would not avail the facilities given by the government.
The deadline for the SC ruling expires today and all facilities enjoyed by the Vice President will be withdrawn in case he fails to take a fresh oath.
The government had scheduled the oath-taking ceremony for 4.15 pm at the President's Office at Sheetal Niwas.
However, sources close to the Vice President said that he would not attend the function.
Jha did not entertain questions from journalists at the press meet which ended after he read out the written statement.
An appeal for review of the court's ruling is already registered at the Supreme Court by Jha, the date of hearing for which is not yet decided.
At least six districts of Terai: Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Nawalparasi have been closed since yesterday to protest the Supreme Court's verdict nullifying Vice President's oath taken last year.
There have been almost daily demonstrations by workers of Madhesi political parties to express solidarity with Jha.
Jha also pointed out in his statement that Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual country, as mentioned in the Interim Constitution, which also guarantees that no discrimination will be made on the basis of any language or ideology.
"I want real republic be established in Nepal, where there shall be no discrimination on the basis of language, culture, ethnicity and region and all the mother tongues will
get due recognition and respect," he underlined. Commenting on the development, senior Supreme Court lawyer Dinesh Tripathi said though Jha has defied the court's ruling, his position will not be vacated by the act.
"The Vice President chose a political path to defy the court's verdict and it has created awkward situation," he observed.
While the court cannot vacate the elected post, but since he has not taken the oath as defined by the court, he cannot function as a Vice President.
If the Parliament passes a motion for impeachment by two-third majority votes, only then can he be removed from the position, the lawyer said, pointing out that the VP's post is
now in limbo.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, August 30, 2009, 17:12