Kathmandu, August 16

Madhesi and Janajati leaders of the Unified CPN-Maoist have said they had no option but to accept the new constitution despite their dissatisfaction with the preliminary draft of the constitution.

They, however, said they would do their best to make the new constitution more progressive than the draft constitution. Leader Ram Chandra Jha said the party was for institutionalising whatever achievements were made in struggle for more rights. Leader Prabhu Sah said constitution would be promulgated by the Constituent Assembly and its members and not individual leaders or the parties.

Another Madhesi leader of the party Ram Kumar Sharma said he was hopeful that the four major parties would address people’s concerns being raised through different movements. “Our demands would also be fulfilled while addressing the agitators’ concerns,” he said, adding, “There is no question of resigning from the party and we’ll fight from within the party.”

Janajati leader Gopal Kirati said the draft constitution was progressive considering the strength UCPN-M and Madhesi parties have in the CA. He said minor changes would be sufficient in the existing demarcation of six provinces. “If we do not accept what we have got now we won’t get even half of it later,” he said. While Tharu leader and lawmaker of the party Aman Lal Modi said Janajati leaders of his party had been lobbying for their rights inside the CA and were struggling in the streets as well.

Today’s development is in stark comparison to what had transpired during a recent standing committee meeting of the party when Secretary Barshaman Pun had condemned Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Baburam Bhattarai for compromising on the party’s stance for which thousands of people sacrificed their lives during the people’s war.