Rajbiraj, October 29

Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato today said protecting the achievements of the past movements and struggles was the biggest challenge facing the country currently.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Press Manch Saptari in Rajbiraj, Mahato said the nation was facing a daunting challenge to defend the achievements of all past agitations, including the second people’s movement and Tarai agitation.

Mahato accused the government and major parties of trying to bypass the agendas and demands raised by the agitating Madhesi parties.

He also claimed that the major parties were trying to divert public attention by registering impeachment motion against Lok Man Singh Karki, chief of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

Mahato warned of a decisive stir if United Democratic Madhesi Front’s demands were not met by Chhath. He urged the party rank and file and locals to get ready for the final struggle.

Stating that major parties and the government were not willing to meet their demands, Mahato said that Madhesi people would fight for their rights until the end.

“The Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center have blown the issue of impeachment motion registered against Lok Man Singh Karki out of proportion when they should be focusing on issues raised byof Madhesi and marginalised people through constitution amendment”, Mahato said.

Mahato informed that the government had invited UDMF to hold discussion on issues of citizenship and demarcation of provincial boundaries on Sunday.

He stated that they would not budge from their demand for carving out a single Madhes/Tharuhat province from Jhapa in the east to Kanchanpur in the west.

On the disputed five districts — Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali, and Kanchanpur — Mahato said those districts should be demarcated keeping in view the demand of locals.

“Let’s take the locals’ views and delineate the provinces accordingly,” Mahato suggested. He asked the NC, UML and CPN-Maoist Center to abide by the people’s verdict.