Dozens of Nepali Congress lawmakers representing Tarai region have warned the party leadership that they would walk out of the constitution process if their demands and grievances were not addressed.

Around 40 lawmakers on Tuesday demanded the party leadership halt the constitution drafting process for another 10 days to address the demands of Madhesis, Tharus and other marginalised groups. They have also urged the party leadership to withdraw the Nepal Army currently deployed in Tarai to set the stage for meaningful talks.  

A disgruntled lawmaker said they had decided to submit a memorandum to CA Chair Subas Chandra Nembang on Wednesday morning, with a mention that they will be forced to leave the constitution process if their demands are not met.

They held discussions with the party leadership, including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, urging immediate steps to address their demands through the amendment proposal. The lawmakers have been demanding three provinces in Tarai, inclusion of Madhesis, Tharus, Dalits, Janajatis, women in the constitution drafting process to ensure the deprived communities’ representations in various state organs. They were later joined by NC leaders Dr Shekhar Koirala and Arjun Narsingh KC in the Baluwatar meeting.

Then they held a separate meeting where they decided to submit their demands to the CA chair, with a warning of walkout from the process if the demands are not meet.

Earlier at an NC office bearers meeting, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management Bimalendra Nidhi had advised the party leadership halt the constitution drafting process at least for another 10 days to address the demands of various constituencies. “Let’s make a fresh start by renewing the call for talks and start talks with the agitating parties,” said Nidhi.

Referring to several security officials posted in Tarai districts, Nidhi told the meeting that the law and order situation was worsening by the day and could get out of hand if the problem was not addressed on time.

But the meeting decided not to halt the constitution drafting process. “We know the grievances and demands of various constituencies are genuine. We are also not happy with the draft constitution, neither do the UML and Maoists. But we don’t have other alternative,” said NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel.

NC leader KC told the Post that he had urged the party’s Tarai-based lawmakers not to leave the constitution process. But they keep their foot down. “Once the leadership agrees to address our demands, we will return. Otherwise, we have decided to leave the process on Wednesday,” said a Madhes-based lawmaker.