Kathmandu, March 27

Newly formed Janamat Party will not withdraw Alliance for Independent Madhes’ membership from the Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organisations.

AIM which advocated separation of Madhes in the past had sealed an 11-point deal with the government on March 8 committing to respect Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to champion its political cause within the bounds of the constitution. Following the 11-point agreement, AIM leaders formed Janamat Party on March 18.

Janamat Party leader Kailash Mahato told THT that AIM became UNPO member in 2017 after long and persistent efforts and hence it would not withdraw from the orgnisation. “UNPO is a UN recognised organisation which the European Union also attaches due importance to. Our government also takes our UNPO membership seriously albeit it opposes our membership,” he added. Mahato said his party would sensitise the people of Madhes about the AIM’s UNPO membership and how it would help internationalise issues of Madhes.  “AIM’s UNPO membership is an achievement for those who champion the cause of Madhes. No other Madhesi parties had sought membership of UNPO. Withdrawing from UNPO is like digging our own grave,” he added.

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota said he expected the Janamat Party to withdraw from UNPO. “In the past, AIM was on a wrong path and now it is on the right path. I hope the organisation withdraws its UNPO membership gradually,” he added.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Press Adviser Kundan Aryal said the AIM signed an 11-point agreement recently and he hoped that its activities would be in conformity with the spirit of the agreement. “UNPO membership cannot challenge the sovereignty and integrity of Nepal,” he added.

A human rights lawyer told THT on condition of anonymity that UNPO was merely an INGO which could not do anything for the AIM beyond issuing press release and sometimes facilitating meetings on Madhes issues in international fora. He also said that formation of Janamat Party marked the dissolution of AIM.