Nepal government has floated a set of proposals to amend the new constitution to address the demands of agitating Madesh-based parties and other excluded communities.According to the draft proposal obtained by the Hindustan Times, any Nepali naturalised citizen who had been residing in Nepal for 10 years can hold all major constitutional positions such as those of president and prime minister. The government said it was ready to amend the Article 289 (1) of the new constitution and include, “A person who has obtained the citizenship of Nepal by descent, a person who has obtained the naturalised citizenship of Nepal and resided in the country for 10 years after receiving it or a person who has obtained the citizenship of Nepal by virtue of birth shall be qualified for the appointment in all constitutional bodies.” The move has resulted in a major uproar and Prime Minister’s office on Sunday quickly denied making any such proposal. Madeshi leaders said the proposed Constitutional amendment has given continuity to relevant provisions mentioned in the interim Constitution. The new constitution in Nepal has a provision that all major position including should be held by citizens by descent. Madeshi parties had been opposing the constitution since its promulgation. A top Madeshi leader told HT that the provision of citizenship in the new constitution was regressive than in the interim constitution. Currently, the Article 289 (1) of new constitution bars naturalised citizens from holding nine key constitutional positions: president, vice president, prime minister, chief justice, parliament speaker, chief minister, chief of the army staff and heads of the other security agencies. Main opposition CPN-UML has objected to the new draft proposal to change the article. “ We had thought a lot while allowing nine key constitutional positions only for those with citizenship obtained by descent. If such proposal will be tabled in the Parliament, we will not accept it,” said party secretary Pradip Gywali.