• Big III’s assurances to amend the constitution were merely an eyewash

Kathmandu, December 1

Madhesi voters from Morang to Dhanusha continue to endorse the agenda of federalism, inclusion, equality and population-based representation championed by Madhesi parties. They say the three major parties’ assurances to amend the constitution were merely an eyewash.

Prof Raj Narayan Yadav, a resident of Biratnagar metropolis, said he favoured the Madhesi parties, as only they truly wanted to amend the constitution and ensure inclusion. “The three major parties scuttled efforts to amend the constitution. They say Madhesis’ demands are genuine but fulfilling their agenda is wrong,” he added.

Khas Arya community, which constitutes only around 30 per cent, wants 85 per cent rights, he added. “Isn’t this unfair,” he wondered, adding, “We have seen across the globe that marginalised communities unite gradually. Madhesis may take some time but they will unite and will win their rightful share in the state.” He said Madhesi parties needed to fight for making provinces autonomous and powerful.

Yadav said Madhesi parties needed to institutionalise the gains and fight for the remaining agenda.

Dinesh Sahu, a voter of Barju Rural Municipality, said he wanted to vote for Madhesis because it was the Madhesi forces that brought about revolutionary changes of federalism and proportional inclusion. “It was because of Madhesi parties that Madhesis who were deprived of citizenship certificates for long could become citizens of the country,” he added.

Umesh Prasad Yadav, a resident of Rajbiraj who is also a district committee member of the CPN-Maoist Centre, said the three major parties forged consensus to form government but said they did not have the required majority to amend the constitution. “How can we believe them?” he wondered.

In the hills, there are local levels for a population of 20,000-25,000, but in the Tarai, there are local levels only for a population of more than 60,000, he said. He added that hill areas were getting almost double the resources than the Tarai areas. A bus operator at Rupani chowk in Saptari said he would vote for a Madhesi party, as Saptari was in Province 2 which was the only province where Madhesis were in a majority.

Bijay Das a resident of Rajbiraj-7 said he could not vote for a non-Madhesi party. “Will other parties field Madhesis in the hills and make them win from there? Why should we vote for non-Madhesi parties?” he wondered.

Ram Narayan Yadav, who drives an auto rickshaw in Janakpur and is a voter of Laxminiya Rural Municipality of Dhanusha, said, “I am standing in front of Janaki temple, so cannot lie. I will vote for a Madhesi party. I have seen many Madhesis were martyred when they demanded their rights. Many women were widowed and many children were orphaned. I do not want their sacrifices to go waste,” he added.

He lamented that even educated Madhesis were not getting jobs in government bodies, adding that only if Madhesis come to power would this discrimination end.

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, who have forged an electoral alliance in Province 2, are demanding constitution amendment and inclusion.