Kathmandu, September 17:

Six ethnic communities and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) today announced the formation of a Federal Republic National Front, Nepal (FRNFN) to get their three key demands met by the state before the November 22 constituent assembly election. They decided to form the FRNFN following a three-day brainstorming in the capital.

The FRNFN is represented by MJF led by Bhagya Nath Prasad Gupta and Kishor Kumar Biswas, Federal Democratic National Front, Federal Limbuwan State Council, Federal Dhimal Autonomous Council, Khambuwan National Front, Tamangsaling Autonomous State Council and Federal Republic Front (Morang/Jhapa).

Their key demands include immediate abolition of the monarchy and establishment of a democratic republic, adoption of a full proportional representation system of constituent assembly election based on ethnic distribution of population and establishment of autonomous federal states along with the right to self-determination.

Federal states such as Limbuwan, Khambuwan, Madhes, Tamangsaling, Tharuhat, Newa: Mandal, Tamuwan, Magarat, Khasan and Kochila autonomous states must be formed based on their ethnic distribution, according to a press statement issued today.

The FRNFN has also decided to set up a steering body — National Liberation People’s Movement Coordination Committee (NLPMCC). Its headquarters will be established in Biratnagar.

The FRNFN also announced a protest programme beginning tomorrow. The front has announced publicity campaigns from September 18 to 28 in the Tarai and eastern hill districts and said joint protest programmes would be held in Janakpur and Dhulikhel on September 22 and September 25.

It has a plan to stage a sit-in programme in each of the district headquarters on September 26. The FRNFN announced that it would call an indefinite general strike beginning September 28 in the entire Tarai region, Khambuwan, Limbuwan, Tamuwan, Tamangsaling and Tharuwan regions.

Kumar Lingden, a member of the FRNFN, said that the constituent assembly polls must be “meaningful” and the state and the political parties must be serious about their three key demands. Replying to a query, Lingden said, “Like it or not, there can be an alliance with the Maoists for common cause. But the Maoists must be clear about our issues”.

MJF leader Kishor Kumar Biswas said that constituent assembly election cannot be held under the mixed election system and claimed that “the Nepali Congress and Prime

Minister Girija Prasad Koirala are in favour of holding the meaningless assembly polls.”

He accused the NC of not being ready to address the issues of Madhesis, Janajatis and Dalits.

“Now, we are going to lead the third Jana Andolan because the eight political parties failed to address our key demands.”