Key Madhesi party threatens to withdraw from Nepal Govt
New Delhi: The Rashtriya Janata Party of Nepal-a key Madhesi party again threatened to withdraw support from the communist Government of Nepal led by KP Sharma Oli for not fulfilling the aspirations of the people. Though withdrawal of their 19 members of parliament's support would not destabilise the communist government but it may create a huge law order problem as they have threatened to launch a countrywide movement against the government. Moreover the Government which has been enjoying a two-third majority in 275 members Parliament would come down to single majority government. This party had extended outside support to the Government following an assurance given to them for fulfilling their long standing demand. Rajendra Mahato, a Presidium member of the RJP visited New Delhi recently on a "private visit" told journalists if the government failed to address their demand party would withdraw their support from the government. He also said this time they would broaden their base by incorporating other local parties of indigenous people including Tharus and Janjatis.
To a question he clarified this time they had no plan for blockade type movement because they had realised that blockade did not fulfil their purpose. On the contrary unnecessarily their trusted friend India was blamed for the blockade. He also made it clear that it was they who organised blockade to draw attention from the government.
Whether New Delhi has been kept in the loop about their proposed movement Mahato replied in negative. RJP has been asking the Government to amend the constitution to fulfill the demands of the Madhesis, Tharus and Janjatis. Mahato, a lawmaker, said the Government had been assuring us for the last several months but in reality was not showing any initiative to fulfill the promise.
The adoption of country's first constitution in the year 2015 that divided Nepal into seven provinces and reportedly marginalized the Madhesis who are largely of Indian origin and residents of Terai, had triggered a six month long agitation in which more than 50 people lost their lives.
The major demands of Madhesis include amendment of citizenship certificate distribution provisions, (the present provisions deprive from acquiring citizenship), giving constitutional right of their mother tongue, especially Hindi, more rights to the provincial governments, re-demarcation of boundary of the provinces, withdrawal of cases registered against their party cadres and release of lawmaker Resham Chowdhury who was allowed to take oath as MP recently but was again taken to the jail.
Chowdhury was charged with inciting people during the Madhesi agitation when some security personnel lost
their lives. Agencies
