KATHMANDU, OCT 1: Vowing to form an alternative political force in the near future, two Madhes-based political parties and five Janajati parties on Monday announced the formation of Federal Democratic Forum (FDF).
Senior leaders of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF), National Madhes Socialist Party (NMSP), Tamsaling Nepal Rastriya Dal (TNRD), Rastriya Janamukti Party, Khambuwan Swayatta Rajya Parishad, Janamukti Party Nepal and Nepal Shanti Samaj Party unveiled a concept paper of the newly formed alliance in program in the capital.[break]
"We have announced this alliance with the aim to form a new political force by bringing together all the scattered forces that are struggling for the establishment of an inclusive federal democratic country," said MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav while addressing the program.
Yadav also urged Janajati and Madhesi leaders from UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML to join their alliance stating that the three parties could not institutionalization the rights of Madhesi, Janajati, Muslims and Dalits, among other marginalized groups.
In their 12-point common agenda, Madhesi and Janajati leaders said they would work for promulgation of new constitution, from Constituent Assembly, that will guarantee federal states based on ethnic and regional identity and [economic] viability.
"Federal states should be delineated with rights to self determination, preferential political rights and self autonomy," reads the concept paper unveiled by FDF.
The alliance said the central government should over see the major issues including international relation, monetary, judiciary and constitutional bodies, among other issues while the provinces should deal with federal affairs including residual rights.
FDF has also stated that Madhesi, Janajati, Muslims and Dalits, among other marginalized groups should be enlisted in new constitution and their representation in the state mechanism should be proportionate to their respective population.
Similarly, the alliance has maintained that the country should adopt proportional and inclusive electoral system. "The ILO Convention 169 and UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights should be implemented," reads the concept paper.
Likewise, FDF has stated that the country should use multiple mother tongues as official languages.
Speaking at the program, NMSP Chairman Sharat Singh Bhandari termed announcement of their alliance as declaration to end discrimination in the country. "This alliance will also end the game of prolonging the government," he added.
Bhandari stressed on the need for uniting Madhesi, Janajati, Muslims and Dalits, among other marginalized groups stating that they might face conspiracy in near future, if they are not united.
TNRD Chairman Parshuram Tamang said that formation of a unified party of Madhesi, Janajati, Muslims and Dalits, among other marginalized groups is a must as three major political parties failed to address their issues. "It is essential to form an alternative political force in order to give right direction to the country," he added.
Leaders from various Janajati organizations including some disgruntled Janajati leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML were present at the program to extend their greetings.
CPN-UML leader Hem Rai and NC leader Kumar Rai said that dissatisfied Janajati leaders would formally quit their respective party on Wednesday. "There is no need to stay in the party that could not address our concerns," stated Kumar.
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