Resolve issue of boundary first: Bhattarai

Kathmandu, January 2

Former Prime Minister and coordinator of the Campaign for New Force Baburam Bhattarai today said it would be wise to resolve the issue of delineation— the major bone of contention between the ruling CPN-UML and the agitating Madhes-based parties — to end the ongoing unrest in the southern plains.

Receiving a memorandum from the Reporters’ Club at his residence in Sanepa today, Bhattarai said delineation of federal units should be settled first to ensure lasting peace in the country.

“It would be wise for all to settle the issue of provincial boundaries as it could hamper efforts being made at securing lasting peace,” said Bhattarai.

He also said that the parties could reach a political deal regarding demarcation of provincial boundaries based on the recommendations of the State Restructuring Commission.

“Since economic prosperity cannot be attained without peace and stability, the State should devolve its power proportionally to all castes and creeds,” he added.

Bhattarai said Nepal should move ahead as a dynamic bridge between two giant neighbours instead of disputing on minor issues with the southern neighbour.

Former Unified CPN-Maoist senior leader Bhattarai said he would transform his campaign into a political party by mid-April, for which he was consulting representatives of various sectors.He claimed that the new party would be developed as an alternative force that would campaign for a corruption-free society.

He also said that he had quit UCPN-M as it had failed to deliver. He also ruled out possibility of him joining his former party again.