An 11-member taskforce of the five Madhes-based parties associated with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and six various Tharu organizations finalized the issues following several rounds of meetings since the first week of August. [break]
“We have agreed that there must be a single autonomous province in the Tarai named Tharuhat-Madhes province,” said a member of the taskforce on condition of anonymity.
Similarly, they have agreed to go for mixed electoral system in the new constitution to elect members of both the federal and provincial legislatures. They have also agreed to respect the distinct identities of each other.
As per the agreement, Madhesis would recognize Tharus as the main indigenous group of the Tarai, while Madhesis would be recognized as an indigenous group.
The taskforce has also agreed to go for proportional representation of all ethnic groups in the state bodies. They have also demanded separate and distinct identities for dalits, indigenous communities and other ethnic minorities.
According to another member of the taskforce, the agreement would be made public after getting it endorsed by both the sides. On August 2, the leaders of the Madhes-based political parties and Tharu organizations had formed a taskforce comprising six leaders from Tharu organizations and five from Madhes-based political parties.
UDMF, Tharuhat Samyukta Sangharsha Samiti and Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha on July 13 had signed a four-point agreement to work together for the establishment of an autonomous federal state, inclusive democracy and proportional representation.
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