Biratnagar, December 31

A rally was organised demanding that Biratnagar be declared the provincial capital of Province 1 in Biratnagar, Morang, today.

As many as three dozen organisations including Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Morang Trade Association and Morang Chambers of Commerce and Industries held the rally.

Newly elected provincial and parliamentary members from the district along with other leaders and activists were present at the rally aimed to exert pressure on the government.

Speaking at a corner meet organised at Janaandolan Chowk, the leaders argued that it would be injustice to Biratnagar if it was not declared provincial capital as it had all the necessary physical infrastructure required for the new federal set up.

Parliamentary member and Minister without portfolio Shiva Kumar Mandal said that Special Court was established in Biratnagar with the intention of declaring the city the capital of the province. “If the capital of the province is shifted to other places, we will not remain mum in the House. There is no alternative to the city for capital as it has historical importance besides necessary infrastructure. It is an industrial hub, which is necessary for prosperity,” claimed Mandal.

Former lawmaker and Chairperson of Morang Trade Association Pawan Sarada warned of all kinds of agitation if Biratnagar was not declared capital of the province. CPN-UML Morang Chairperson Binod Dhakal accused the government of hatching conspiracy not to declare Biratnagar the provincial capital.