KATHMANDU: In a firm response to rising pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu state demands, ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress has declared any attempts to bypass or break the constitutional framework as unacceptable and unconstitutional.

The party’s top brass reached this conclusion during a meeting of office-bearers and former office-holders held on Monday at party president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, party spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said, “It is inappropriate to break the constitutional framework through unconstitutional means. The concerned parties must take this matter seriously.”

This position comes amid renewed agitation by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), RPP Nepal, and other royalist groups like that of Nabaraj Subedi, who have intensified protests demanding the restoration of the monarchy and a return to Hindu statehood.

The Nepali Congress, however, has made it clear that any such move that falls outside the constitutional order is not just inappropriate but a threat to democratic values. Mahat emphasized that the 2015 Constitution was created by elected representatives of the Nepali people, and not imposed by any external force or individual authority.

“This is not a constitution gifted by someone; it was written and adopted by the people of Nepal themselves through their chosen representatives,” Mahat stated. “Hence, defending this constitution is our collective responsibility.”

Addressing calls for constitutional amendments, Mahat said reforms should be guided by experience and national needs, but they must occur strictly through parliamentary process.

He noted, “Any aspect of the constitution that requires improvement should be handled by the sovereign parliament. That’s why the government has proposed that amendment-related matters move forward through legislative means.”

The Budhanilkantha meeting also discussed the completion of active membership renewal by the end of Asar (mid-July).

According to Mahat, the party will soon convene a full Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which will deliberate on a wide range of national priorities.

The upcoming CWC session will address safeguarding the achievements of the constitution, particularly republicanism, inclusiveness, and secularism.

In addition, the meeting will chart out strategies to revitalize the party, and prepare it to confront emerging economic and political challenges facing the country.