KATHMANDU, June 9: Twenty-eight constituent parties of the 30-party opposition alliance, except the UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi People's Right Forum - Democratic (MPRF-D), have strongly objected to the political agreement between the big four political parties, arguing the agreement does not resolve the issue of federalism.
As UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar briefed on the agreement at the 30-party meeting on Monday afternoon, the 28 parties strongly objected to the agreement."If the major parties sign any deal without finalizing the issue of federalism, we would walk out of the alliance and the Constituent Assembly," said Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Vice Chairman Hridayesh Tripathi after the meeting. Tripathi said that it would not be acceptable to his party and other members of the alliance if the issue of delineation is left for a commission to settle.
"We could have accepted the idea of leaving the issue of naming federal structures to the provincial assembly but we cannot accept provinces without delineation," said Tripathi.
Meanwhile, Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato termed the agreement a "political dishonesty." "Federalism is the major agenda of recent political changes. So we cannot move ahead without deciding the issue of federalism. It would be a political dishonesty," said Mahato.
Likewise, Federal Socialist Party Chairman Ashok Rai termed the agreement baseless and faceless proposal.
Fringe political parties have also objected to the proposal to include a provision in the new constitution that would make it mandatory for any political party to secure at least five percent of total votes to secure seats in parliament under proportional representation electoral system.
Likewise, the parties have also objected to the understanding between major parties on adopting mixed electoral system.