Birgunj, November 21

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Chairperson Upendra Yadav today said that though only persons with citizenship based on descent are to be eligible to hold the topmost constitutional posts of the state, persons with naturalised citizenship should not be discriminated.

Speaking at a press meet organised in Birgunj on Monday, Yadav said that no person should be discriminated based on the basis of citizenship certificate. “If a foreign woman ties the knot with a Nepali national, she should not be discriminated, as she is an integral part of her husband,” argued Yadav.

He accused the leaders of putting Madhes issues in the shadow by raising the issue of citizenship certificate of late.

Yadav warned the three major parties of conflict in the country due to their politics of sharing. “This trend does not bode well for anyone,” said Yadav.

Yadav reiterated that the constitution should be amended to address the genuine concerns of Madhesi, Dalit and ethnic nationalities.

The state should be restructured as per the past agreement and recommendation of state restructuring committee. He said that the seven-province model could not address the demands of the Madhesi community.

“Elections of local bodies will not be acceptable to us in the present situation and the constitution should be amended in a package deal taking all the dissident communities on board,” demanded Yadav.