Leaders from the ruling parties are getting antsy over the president's likely move on the citizenship bill.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Chairman of another ruling party CPN (Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed their concern to President Bidya Devi Bhandari to this effect as the head of the state kept the cards close to her chest even until Monday evening, a day before the deadline to issue the bill expires, according to sources close to the prime minister.

As per the constitution, the president must authenticate a bill that is certified by parliament within 15 days after it is sent to the president twice from the legislature.

President Bhandari had earlier returned the citizenship bill with a 15-point suggestion to parliament asking the latter to review it.

The parliament, however, re-sent it to Sheetal Niwas without making any changes in it. The 15-day deadline as per the constitutional provision expires Tuesday.

Deuba had a separate meeting with the president after a ceremony organized by Bhandari on the occasion of the Constitution Day on Monday evening. According to sources, during the meeting, Deuba asked the President not to breach the constitutional provision.

However, other leaders close to Deuba and Dahal tried to downplay the matter. They said the meetings between the leaders were just part of the ceremony.