KATHMANDU, April 17: At a time when major political parties are busy discussing contentious issues of constitution writing, lawmakers from Madhes-based political parties have warned that they would not accept a divided Madhes in the federal system.
A meeting of Madhesi lawmakers held at Singha Durbar on Monday afternoon concluded that state restructuring must be in accordance with the agreements reached between the government and Madhes-based political parties in the past.
“The interim constitution clearly states that there would be various autonomous provinces including Madhes. So, one must not think beyond that,” said Chairman of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Upendra Yadav, who was present at the meeting.
According to Madhesi leaders, the meeting concluded that conspiracy is being hatched to weaken Madhes by carving out more than one state in Madhes.
“Madhes must not be divided. Conspiracy is being hatched against autonomous Madhes state and this will not be acceptable to us,” said a Madhesi leader on condition of anonymity.
Madhesi leaders said that a new constitution without federalism would be worthless and that Madhesis would not accept such a constitution.
“Madhesi people will again take to the streets if the constitution does not guarantee an autonomous Madhes state,” Yadav told Republica, adding, “And, such a constitution can´t be implemented in Madhes.”
The leaders also said that the Business Advisory Committee must not extend the deadline given to political parties to resolve contentious issues of constitution writing. The deadline expires on Tuesday.
Lawmakers from MPRF, MPRF-Republican, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP), TMDP-Nepal, Sadbhawana Party (SP), SP-Anandi Devi, Rastriya Sadbhawana Party and Madhesi lawmakers from UCPN (Maoist) were present at the meeting.
Another Madhesi leader, who was present in the meeting, said they would hold discussions with Madhesi lawmakers associated with Nepali Congress (NC) to form a common stance on state restructuring.
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