Miscellaneous
Madhesis, Tharus and Janajatis ally
Madhesi, Janajati and Tharu leaders from across the party line on Wednesday forged an alliance to press major parties for a new federal, democratic and republic constitution.Madhesi, Janajati and Tharu leaders from across the party line on Wednesday forged an alliance to press major parties for a new federal, democratic and republic constitution.
Madhesis, Tharus and Janajatis had been staging separate protests against the agreement on six-province federal model reached between the four major parties last week. The coalition named Federal Alliance, formed on the initiative of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, includes Tharuhat Tarai Party, Sanghiya Limbuwan Party, Samajik Loktantrik Party and Adivasi Janajati party.
“We will launch a combined protest in Madhes/Tharuhat and hills against the constitution drafting process.
Other parties inside and outside the Constituent Assembly will be incorporated in the alliance,” said Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal.
He added talks are on with other regional parties and ethnic groups, including Tharu Lawmakers’ Unified Struggle Committee (TLUSC), Tharu Kalyankari Sabha and Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee to bring them onboard the alliance.
Janajatis and Tharus have demanded inclusive and autonomous federal state based identity and capabilities.
Rajendra Mahato, chairman of Sadhbawana Party, said their protest will continue until the government agrees to promulgate the statute according to the spirit of past agreement signed with Madhesi, Janajati and other groups.
“We will continue to boycott talks and constitution drafting process until they agree to respect past agreements and interim constitution,” said Mahato, whose party announced to walk out of the CA on Tuesday. Mahato has also decided to shift his central party office to Tarai from the Capital.
A meeting of the cross-party leaders has formed a secretariat, comprising top leaders of all parties. Besides Yadav, Chairman of the Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Mahantha Thakur, Sadhbawana Party Co-Chair Laxmanlal Karna, Tharuhat Tarai Party Chairman Bhanuram Chaurday, Sangiya Limbuwan Party Chairman Kumar Lingden, Samajik Loktantrik Party Co-Chair Kumar Rai and Adhivasi Janajati Party chief Buddharaj Tamang Syangtang.
The alliance has demanded state restructuring in accordance to the suggestions made by the State Restructuring and Division of the State Power Committee and High-level State Restructuring Committee.
“Nepal should be declared as a multi state. Delineation of the states should be carried out by democratic and inclusive way without any discrimination,” it said in a statement after the meeting.
The alliance’s others demands include formation of autonomous region, special areas with right to determination and self-governance, clear allocation of resources. “Other rights should be distributed to province, local units and special units,” it added.