UDMF set to launch protests against draft constitution

KATHMANDU: A meeting of the United Democratic Madhesi Front on Monday decided to prepare the blueprint of protest programmes by tomorrow.

Chiefs and representatives of four parties of the UDMF — Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhawana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Nepal — on Monday discussed the strategies for their planned agitation.

SP General Secretary Manish Kumar Suman said he proposed that the UDMF should be ready to quit the Constituent Assembly, to which the chiefs of four parties said if their concerns were not addressed in the final draft of the constitution, then such a situation might arise.

Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato said the UDMF constituents decided to prepare its blueprint of protest programmes tomorrow. The four parties are also planning to make a public appeal with Articles of the draft constitution that are against the interest of Madhes and Madhesi parties.

Mahato said the agitation would include programmes within and outside the CA.

Mahato said the UDMF constituents decided to secure support of the Madhesi civil society members and other professional organisations for their agitation.

TMDP Joint General Secretary Jitendra Sonal said the UDMF constituents were of the view that as the major parties were trying to fast track the constitution-writing process by ignoring past agreements and agreements forged at the constitutional-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee, the Madhesi forces should also fast track their agitation.

“The draft (constitution) has removed federalism from the definition of state and it has also diluted inclusion. The provision on citizenship will victimise Madhesis,” Sonal said, adding that Madhesis could not wait for an opportune time for agitation. “We cannot tolerate this injustice. We should brace for the final battle with the state for our rightful share in the constitution,” Sonal added.

He said if the final draft of the constitution did not address Madhesis’ concerns, they would quit the CA.

The four constituents of the UDMF, however, were of the view that it should not welcome everybody.

“We are of the view that the four constituents of the UDMF should steer the protest programmes. Although we have not closed our door for others, we are, however, cautious of not welcoming those who have their feet in two boats and who do not have good image in society,” a UDMF source said.

According to the source, Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav and TMSP-N Chair Mahendra Ray Yadav opposed induction of Matrika Yadav-led CPN-M, Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta-led Tarai Madhes National Campaign and Anil Kumar Jha-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party, saying that their party cadres might not like joining hands with these parties.

A few days ago, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chair Mahantha Thakur had held a meeting with Matrika-led CPN-M, Gupta-led TMNC and Jha-led NSP in an attempt to forge a broader alliance for the movement.