Agitating Madhes-centric parties have turned down major parties’ request to join them on board the constitution process, dismissing the call as “mere formality”.

Commenting on the eve of the promulgation of new constitution, Madhesi and Tharu leaders on Saturday claimed that “half of the country’s population” would disown the constitution as it treats them as the “second-class citizen”. They even accused the major parties of pushing the country towards a new era of conflict by refusing to accommodate “legitimate concerns” of marginalised and excluded communities, including Madhesis and Tharus.

Ending eight years of political wrangling and uncertainty, the major parties are set to promulgate the new constitution on Sunday. At least 40 people have died in clashes during protests over the draft constitution.

“A constitution that does not treat all citizens equal cannot unite the country. It is a need of division,” said Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, dismissing major parties’ call for the disgruntled forces to come on board the Constituent Assembly process as “mere formality”.

On Saturday, the three major parties—Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist)—jointly appealed to the Madhes-based parties to join them before the promulgation of the statute. Top leaders of the Big Three claimed that most of disgruntled groups’ demands had been met, assuring that the remaining concerns would be addressed.

Hridayesh Tripathi of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party said there was little hope of their demands being accommodated. “What can you expect from leaders who are unwilling even to include Tarai/Madhes in an agreement letter. The calls for talks have come as a ritual,” he said.

Most of the Madhesi and Tharu leaders have expressed serious reservations over federal setup of the state. The agitating groups are demanding to form two provinces in the Tarai plains. They want Province 2 to be extended up to Jhapa in the east and formation of a separate province from Nawalparasi to Kanchanpur in the west.

Ram Janam Chaudhary, general secretary of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L), said that they are flexible on the number and boundaries of the state. He urged the party to show flexibility by addressing the demands of the dissenting groups to avert a “historical crisis”.  

“The is still time to settle the few remaining disputes. Major parties should not miss this historical opportunity to take the country towards peace, prosperity and equality,” said Chaudhary.

Ashok Rai, a Janajati leader, urged the major parties to address the concerns for the sake of the people if they are genuinely concerned of their demands.

“There is no need for dialogue at the last hour. If you are serious about addressing the concerns of people, just do it in the name of people,” Rai said, arguing that the constitution has cheated the marginalised and excluded communities, including Janajati.   

“This constitution is intended to serve the interests of a few selected communities. Let them celebrate the day. We will observe it as a black day in the history and keep fighting for our rights and equality,” said Rajendra Mahato, Chairman of Sadbhawana party.

The Madhes-based parties have begun discussion on another round of “decisive protest” if their demands are not met. They are in talks to form an alliance, incorporating all disgruntled groups from the Hills and Tarai, to launch a united struggle.