Kathmandu, February 26:

Forest Minister Matrika Prasad Yadav today crossed the party line and backed the United Madhesi Democratic Front’s controversial demand for autonomy with right to self-determination.

The government should not hesitate to give the right to self-determination to the Madhes community, Yadav told an interaction at the Reporters’ Club here.

Giving autonomy with right to self-determination has long been a Maoist agenda, he said contradicting the seven-party alliance’s rejection of the demand recently.

Nepali Congress and UML are arguing that giving right to self-determination will disintegrate the country, he said.

In fact, empowering all the people is the only sustainable way to protect national integrity, he added.

“If the entire Madhes wanted to dissociate from the country can any force stop it?” he queried.

But he was quick to add that federal states with right to self-determination could be guaranteed only through the Constituent Assembly elected by the people.

He said all the people in Tarai were eagerly awaiting the election but certain elements owing allegiance to the BJP and the royal palace are trying to mislead them.

He also claimed that the agitating United Madhesi Democratic Front was divided with the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party willing to go to the April 10 polls.

He added that the polls would never take place if deferred again, as demanded by some UMDF leaders.

Republican leader Ramraja Prasad Singh said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala should immediately step down, alleging that the entire nation was being held hostage to his political ambitions.

“The country could disintegrate if the responsible leaders do not show greatness during the

constituent assembly process,” he said.

“I know him very well. He can go to any extent to achieve his political interests,” he added.

Renu Kumari Yadav of the UMDF said they would not seek amendment to the interim constitution if the agreement to be reached with the government were signed in the presence of someone from the international community.