MPRF-D had been firmly supporting the alliance of major political parties in constitution-writing while the other Madhes-based parties had taken to the streets against the whole process.With the breaking away of the MPRF-D, the only Madhes-based party in the alliance, the coalition has suffered a major setback.
MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, however, has left some room for his party's return to the process if the major parties address his demand.
In his letter submitted to CA Chairman Subas Nembang Tuesday, Gachchhadar has demanded that the constitution-making process be slowed down and talks held with the agitating Madhesi, Tharuhat and other communities.
"We thus inform the [CA] chairman about our party's decision to boycott the ongoing constitution-making process until an environment for forging a new agreement is created," reads the letter signed by Gachchhadar. "Our party will always remain supportive of the chairman in any initiatives to be taken for forging an agreement in this connection."
He has expressed serious disappointment with other major parties for not becoming ready to address his concerns even as he has shown unflinching support for the alliance leaders.
He claimed that it was only his role that made possible the signing of the 16-point deal which for the first time brought the rival parties -- Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) -- together.
He expressed serious objection over the other three parties' decision to go for a six-province federal model as against the 16-point agreement that had provisioned an eight-province setup.
He said the three parties' abrupt decision to adopt the six-province model despite his serious objections was the major factor that pushed him away from the alliance.
With the MPRF-D's decision, the number of fringe political parties boycotting the constitution-making process has reached 10.
The other political parties shunning the CA are Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhavana Party, Rastriya Madhes Socialist Party, Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal, MPRF-Republican, Nepal Sadbhavana Party and Federal Democratic Rastriya Manch Tharuhat. These parties have altogether 53 seats in the CA.
Seats
Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal : 15
MPRF-Democratic : 14
Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party: 11
Sadbhabana Party : 6 (1 suspended)
Rastriya Madhes Socialist Party: 3
Tharuhat Tarai Party-Nepal : 2
MPRF-Republican : 1
Nepal Sadbhavana Party: 1
Federal Democratic Rastriya Manch Tharuhat: 1
Total: 53
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