The Madhesi leaders were responding to concerns from various political parties, including the Mohan Baidya faction of the UCPN (Maoist), over the recent statement made by Defense Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, who is also a central leader of the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D). [break]
Bhandari, during a function in the capital on Monday, had said that nothing can prevent 22 districts of the Tarai from seceding if the state continued to be indifferent to their concerns.
Rameshwor Raya Yadav, senior vice-chairman of MPRF-D, said his party does not intend to disintegrate the country. “Our party has an agenda but it has nothing to do with dividing the country on any grounds,” Yadav told Republica.
Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republican (MPRF-R) Chairman and Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Gupta defending Bhandari said that the latter made the statement in a different context. “He only meant that the Madhesi front wants to see an autonomous Madhes province with the territorial integrity of the country intact,” Gupta added.
Vice-chairman of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hridayesh Tripathi also defended Bhandari. “He (Bhandari) spoke on the need for democratization of the Nepal Army (NA). Those who do not want democratization in the NA are criticizing Bhandari,” stated Tripathi.
Likewise, Chairman of Sadbhawana Party and Minister for Health and Population Rajendra Mahato urged not to misconstrue Bhandari´s statement. “He did not mean to incite secession,” Mahato told Republica.
Tarai Madhes Democratic Party-Nepal (TMDP-N) leader Govinda Chaudhari accused the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML of misinterpreting Bhandari´s statement.
Meanwhile, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Chairman Upendra Yadav has taken strong exception to Bhandari´s statement.
“Madhesis are patriotic but Bhandari´s statement has made it seem as if they are separatists,” Yadav told Republica.
Yadav said the prime minister must ask Bhandari to step down.
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