Kathmandu, December 7

Lawmakers representing Madhesi parties today demanded more local bodies in Madhes region to ensure population-based representation in the Upper House of the Parliament.

Madhesi lawmakers and leaders who were called by the Local Bodies Restructuring Commission today told the body to create local bodies on the basis of population in Province 2.

They also sought constitution amendment prior to determining the numbers and boundaries. The LBRC is in the final phase of preparing its report.

The constitutional body, which is mandated to determine the number and boundaries of local bodies had invited lawmakers, political leaders and members of the technical committee of Province 2 to its central office to finalise the reports.

Due to obstruction from agitating Madhesi parties, the LBRC was not able to prepare even the preliminary report on the local bodies of Province 2. Lawmakers from Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Parsa and Siraha attended the LBRC meeting today.

According to LBRC member Sunil Ranjan Singh, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party’s lawmaker Jungi Lal Ray Yadav demanded that the number of local bodies be set on the basis of the population in Province 2.

He also criticised the commission’s decision to invite lawmakers to its central office for discussion instead of holding such consultation in the respective region. “He demanded that the constitution be amended first to address the issues raised by Madhesi parties,” said LBRC member Singh.

Lawmaker Yadav walked out of the meeting after he put forth his arguments.

Nepali Janata Dal’s lawmaker Haricharan Sah told the LBRC that his party could not support the commission to carry out its duty until the constitution was amended.

Nepali Congress Lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh too said the number of local bodies should be created on the basis of population in Province 2. He also said that the number and boundaries should be determined after the constitution was amended.

Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party’s Lawmaker Maendra Raya Yadav said his party would hold internal discussion and give its suggestion to the commission. He said that his party could not agree on the LBRC’s decision until the constitution was amended.

The LBRC requested lawmakers and political leaders to give their suggestions, as it had no more time to prepare the report.

The commission will discuss with politicians, lawmakers and its technical committee members on the remaining four districts on Thursday.

The commission has been preparing to unveil its complete report and submit it to the government at the earliest.

Singh said that the commission could submit its complete report by mid-December incorporating the suggestions of leaders, lawmakers and DTAC members of the eight districts.