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Gathabandhan: UML’s racist remarks will spread communal disharmony
Denouncing what it calls the main opposition CPN-UML’s “racist remarks” against the constitution amendment, the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi and Janajati parties, on Thursday announced a nationwide campaign to garner public support for its demand for the formation of 10 provinces.Denouncing what it calls the main opposition CPN-UML’s “racist remarks” against the constitution amendment, the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi and Janajati parties, on Thursday announced a nationwide campaign to garner public support for its demand for the formation of 10 provinces.
A meeting of Gathabandhan allies has also demanded that the government endorse the constitution amendment bill without further delay.
The constitution amendment bill, which was registered at the Parliament Secretariat on November 29, is yet to reach Parliament due to continuous obstructions by the UML-led opposition bloc.
In a press statement issued after Thursday’s meeting, Gathabandhan Coordinator Upendra Yadav has taken strong exception to the ongoing protest launched by the second largest party against the constitution amendment.
“The UML’s racist remarks and regressive activities disturb communal harmony, weaken national unity and push the country towards a vicious cycle of civil war; we condemn such acts,” read the press statement.
Gathabandhan leaders said that they are considering resuming protest after holding a mass interaction across the country. Gathabandhan’s Thursday meeting has agreed to make the 10-province federal model the main agenda of its nationwide campaign that it plans to start next week.
Unlike other Madhes-based parties, Yadav has been asking the government to adopt the 10-province federal model as recommended by the erstwhile state restructuring commission.
Janajatis, Madhesis and Muslims will begin protests if the government fails to endorse the constitution amendment bill with necessary revisions, said Yadav.
He also said that the regional parties would not support the election under existing circumstances at any cost.
“UML wants to push the country towards conflict by standing against the rights of Madhesi, Janajati, Dalit and Muslim communities. We will give a strong reply,” Yadav told the Post.
Leaders of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal, which is led by Yadav, said that many other parties including Baburam Bhattarai-led Naya Shakti Nepal would join the protest.
But other Madhes-based parties are yet to decide on joining the protest.
Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said the Madhes-based parties would decide their next move depending on how the governing parties and the main opposition act.
“We have no immediate plan to launch protests,” said Mahato.