Janakpurdham, August 1

CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said his party was preparing to forge poll alliance with democratic and federal forces in the civic polls to be held in Province 2.

Speaking at a press meet organised in Janakpur today morning, Dahal said, “Our party is stressing on forging alliance with Federal Socialist Forum and Nepal Forum Democratic for the civic polls in Province 2.” Stating that the Tarai-Madhes had sacrificed a lot for democracy and republicanism, Dahal said his party would forge poll alliance in Province 2.

Dahal expressed confidence that Rastriya Janata party-Nepal would take part in the polls. He, however, said that civic polls would not be postponed at any cost even if the RJP-N abstained from it. He insisted that RJP-N itself had not wanted to put the amendment bill to vote in the Parliament. He claimed that RJP-N did not want to the put the bill to vote fearing that the bill would not be passed.

Dahal accused some parties of insulting the Madhes in the name of nationalism and he blamed racists of disseminating rumours against the hills in the name of Tarai-Madhes. He said his party had protested against these parties and groups that were pushing the country towards secession in the name of Madhes. “Feudalists divided the people to rule over us. To end them, 1,300 Madhesis sacrificed their lives. Now the same feudals are busy fanning communal violence,” Dahal said.

Dahal urged the government to respect the contribution made by the Madhes and address its problems. “We had formed Madhesi Mukti Morcha when the Maoists were underground considering the Madhes’ contribution,” Dahal stated.

Dahal said he had spent most of his time reflecting about Madhes when he was prime minister. “I made a lot of efforts to amend the statute. Amendment was possible but the bill was not put to vote after Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmakers went missing,” Dahal said. He held that the amendment bill could be put to vote if the RJP-N wanted.

Dahal said that two metropolitan cities were added in the Tarai when he was prime minister. “Efforts were made to make Janakpur a metropolitan city. But these efforts did not bear fruit despite consensus among the parties at the eleventh hour,” Dahal added.

He said his party was working hard to make Janakpur a popular religious city and turn it into a metropolitan city. “We will work to make Janakpur a religious tourism hub by connecting Janakpur, Dhanushadham and Jaleswor,” Dahal stated. He said his party conceptualised developing Janakpur as a satellite city through promotion and development.