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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Madhesh parties reject proposal to scrap provincial assemblies

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Madhesh-based parties in Nepal strongly oppose a proposal by the Rastriya Swatantra Party to abolish provincial assemblies.
  • They argue that scrapping provincial assemblies would undermine federalism, which was achieved through significant sacrifice.
  • The parties demand clarification from the government and warn of resistance to any formalization of the proposal.

A proposal by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to abolish provincial assemblies has ignited fierce opposition from Madhesh-based political parties in Nepal. These parties, instrumental in the federalism movement in the Tarai–Madhesh region, view the RSP's suggestion as a direct threat to the federal structure of the country.

We will discuss constitutional amendments once the government brings a concrete proposal.

— Upendra YadavJSP-N chair Upendra Yadav stated that constitutional amendments would be considered only if the government presented a formal proposal.

Leaders from the Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N), Janamat Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Party have collectively called for the RSP to retract its proposal. While acknowledging the principle of restructuring provinces, they firmly believe that eliminating provincial assemblies would weaken the very foundation of federalism. Upendra Yadav, chair of JSP-N, stated that any move against the federal democratic republic and the provincial system would be met with resistance, emphasizing that federalism was attained through the sacrifices of many Madhesi people.

The people of Madhesh supported the RSP with the expectation of strengthening federalism. Bringing a proposal to abolish provincial assemblies now is political dishonesty.

— CK RautJanamat Party chair CK Raut criticized the RSP's proposal as politically dishonest, given the expectations of Madhesh voters.

CK Raut, chair of the Janamat Party, accused the RSP of political dishonesty, contrasting their proposal with statements made by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. He asserted that the people of Madhesh supported the RSP with the expectation of strengthening federalism, making the current proposal a betrayal of that trust. Raut stressed that provincial assemblies are crucial for rights, development, and equality, and their removal would signify the demise of democracy itself.

Democracy will not survive if provincial assemblies are removed. Other parties, including the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party, must understand this.

— CK RautCK Raut emphasized the critical role of provincial assemblies in maintaining democracy.

Laxman Lal Karna, a member of the 2015 constitution drafting committee and a JSP-N leader, echoed these concerns. He argued that provinces are meaningless without their assemblies and that the proposal is particularly alarming given ongoing discussions about constitutional amendments. Karna suggested that provincial assemblies could be reformed to address existing challenges rather than being abolished entirely, emphasizing the need to uphold the constitution's fundamental principles.

Provinces cannot function without assemblies. That undermines the essence of federalism.

— Laxman Lal KarnaJSP-N leader Laxman Lal Karna explained why provincial assemblies are essential for federalism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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