Kathmandu, February 25

Chair of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Upendra Yadav today said the United Democratic Madhesi Front would not accept the political mechanism formed under Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa.

Addressing an interaction at Reporters Club here today, Yadav said forming a mechanism under Thapa to settle issues of federalism was ridiculous as Thapa was against democracy, republicanism and federalism. “How can a person who opposes federalism resolve this problem?” he wondered.

Yadav said the mechanism was set up ahead of Prime Minister Oli’s India visit just to create illusions in the minds of the Indian leaders that the government was trying to resolve the issue of provincial boundaries.

“Our task force had raised the issue of the mechanism’s validity and its terms of references. None of these issues were addressed,” Yadav said, and added that if the government did not use the current lull to address the concerns of the agitating parties, they would again resort to extreme forms of protests and this time they would blockade all the border entry points.

Yadav said the next agitation will expand to all areas, including the capital. “We are conserving our energy and making preparations for the next movement,” he said.

Yadav said the recommendation of the erstwhile State Restructuring Commission was the first basis for revising the provincial boundaries and the Interim Constitution and the agreements signed between the government and the agitating parties in the past could be the second and third basis respectively for revising the provincial boundaries.

Yadav accused the government of colluding with black-marketeers to create artificial shortage of fuel and other essentials commodities in the market.

Yadav said Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to India turned to be a fiasco as he embarked on the visit without making preparations. Our trade deficit with India, he added, is increasing alarmingly and if this trend continues, Nepal’s progress would remain stalled.“There is nothing new in the seven-point deal,” Yadav added.

The Madhesi leader said the government conspired to portray the ongoing Madhes movement as a communal thing, but despite provocations from the government, Madhesis kept their calm and proved that their agitation is for attaining equality and rightful share.