Rajbiraj, November 30

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal which have forged electoral alliance in Saptari have made constitution amendment their top agenda alongside the issues of identity, inclusion and equal rights.

The FSF-N and the RJP-N have stated in their poll leaflets ‘Madheske aan, baan aur shaan ke lel’ which means ‘for helping the cause of Madhes’ pride, power and prestige.

The two parties have also given the slogan of infrastructure development in the district. They said they would give incentives to industrialists and set up 18 industries in Gajendra Narayan Industrial Zone. They have also pledged to make Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital a referral centre.

CPN-UML and the CPN-MC have given the slogan of political stability, development of infrastructure including canals to irrigate land.  UML said in its poll campaign that it was not anti-Madhes and it was ready to address Madhes’ genuine demands. It has urged voters to give it enough seats in the Parliament so as to address the genuine demands of Madhes through constitution amendment.

Nepali Congress said in its poll campaign that it was ready to amend the constitution to address Madhesis’ demands but the UML obstructed the process. The NC said that if it won the required majority its first job in the parliament would be to amend the constitution.

Madhesi voters also want constitution to be amended

Vijay Das, a voter of Rajbiraj-7 said constitution amendment should remain the key agenda of political parties. “CPN-UML was opposed to constitution amendment from the very beginning. CPN-MC which initially supported constitution amendment has now joined hands with the UML. It is not sure what the Nepali Congress will do. I therefore, cannot abandon Madhesi parties. I want Madhesi parties to raise the constitution amendment agenda,” he said.

Mohmmed Idris, who owns a tailoring business in Rajbiraj said Khas Arya people were getting more opportunities, but Madhesis of the plains and marginalised communities of the hills were not getting equal share in state organs and hence, the constitution had to be amended to ensure equal rights.

“Madhesi parties are fighting for our rights, our identity. When I go out of the district, I am called Madhesi. Nobody calls me Muslim so I want to identify myself as a Madhesi,” he said. Idris wants to see all Madhesi forces unite. “Madhesis should have good number in the Parliament to get the constitution amended. If Madhesis remain undivided, constitution can not be amended,” he said. Idris said FSF-N Chair Upendra Yadav’s decision to take part in the first and second phase of local polls and break from the RJP-N’s alliance was a wrong move.