In a bid to win the trust of Tharu community, the party has also proposed forming a separate Tharuhat province comprising western Tarai districts. [break]
“We have proposed a Madhes province in the east and Tharuhat province in western Tarai,” said party Chairman Rajendra Mahato while addressing media persons in Kathmandu on Friday. “Our party has proposed forming a total of 10 provinces.”
As the country prepares for fresh elections to the Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution, Mahato said the party stands for prime minister as the executive head and a ceremonial president. “The prime minister should be elected by parliament. We have also proposed giving equal weightage to the central and provincial parliaments while electing the president,” added Mahato.
“We have proposed 151-member central parliament with each provincial parliaments comprising 101 members,” he said. Asserting that the voters should have the right to reject candidates, Mahato said, “If more than 50 per cent voters reject a candidate, a fresh election should be held.”
SP has also demanded that Hindi be recognized as the official language of the Tarai. Less than 1 percent of the Tarai population speaks Hindi. “Nepali is a common language of the people of hilly region. Therefore, Hindi should get recognition as the common language of the people of Tarai,” Mahato said.
Mahato said Nepali is the language of the nation and a common language for the people speaking Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Sherpa, Newar and Khas languages. “In the same manner, Hindi should be recognized as the official language of the Tarai.” He also said that the party emphasizes construction of the postal highway to connect the hills with the Tarai.
Mahato also said that the party would take initiatives for early completion of the Kathmandu-Hetauda fast-track. “Melamchi water supply project, metro train and clean up of the rivers in Kathmandu are the major election agendas of the party for the capital,” reads the manifesto.
The party has also proposed establishing Rajarshi Janak University in Janakpur, Birgunj University, Nepalgunj University and open universities.
Stating that that the party is equally sensitive to the needs of the Muslim community, Mahato said, “A National Muslim Commission should be formed to protect and promote Muslim culture. We also strongly believe that Madrasa education should be given the status of mainstream education.”
“Similarly, a permanent hajj committee should be formed and the Muslim community should get religious identity,” reads the manifesto. Mahato also said that the party would take initiatives to bring about an agricultural revolution.
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