“The announced autonomous federal provinces may go to the extent of working as parallel governments,” said Dahal while speaking at a rally in Kathmandu to declare Newa autonomous province on Wednesday. He argued that his party began declaring federal provinces as a move to warn those who are busy “conspiring against Nepali people, democracy and federalism from the dark chambers”.[break]
Dahal argued that the move is in accordance with the ethos of “People´s War”, 19-day mass movement, peace process and interim constitution. “There is already an agreement to turn the country into a federal structure. The move is in accordance with the people´s will to write a new constitution and turn the peace process into a success,” he said.
“I declare this historic land of Newars, which is also predominantly inhabited by them, as Newa autonomous republic province,” Dahal declared and said that the land of Newars has now become free from the shackles of unitary state imposed some 240 years ago.
According to Dahal, Nepal was as advanced as any other developed countries before the unification of Nepal 240 years ago, and that the unitary form of government imposed then reversed the wheel of development, progress and prosperity, making Nepal one of the poorest countries in the world today.
The former rebel leader argued that Maoists are always ahead than others in transforming the political landscape of the country.
During the function, a balloon-propelled banner reading “Newa Autonomous Province” was flown high in the sky and firecrackers were exploded even as the scared pigeons flew in all directions. Dahal also declared “liberation of Newa autonomous province from the 240-year long oppression at the hands of unitary state.”
Dahal also said the oppressed ethnic groups will be given special political and economic privileges. “But such privileges are not for an indefinite period of time,” he added.
Going by the Maoist definition of agradhikar or special privileges, only members of certain ethnic groups can hold chief state offices. For example, only Limbus can be chief ministers in the Limbuwan province for a certain period of time.
During the function, leaders from Maoist ethnic fronts delivered speeches bashing Late King Prithvi Narayan Shah who led the unification of Nepal in the second half of the 18th century.
On Wednesday, Maoists also declared Tamsaling autonomous province amidst a function in Nuwakot. Of the 13 provinces proposed by the Maoists, the Maoist party has declared 10 provinces so far. Eleven of the provinces proposed by the Maoists are based on ethnicity.
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