A majority of the party´s lawmakers (16 out of 28) are preparing to register the motion at the parliamentary party office on Sunday, demanding a meeting of the parliamentary party. [break]
Influential leaders of the party including Sharat Singh Bhandari, Pramod Gupta, Sarba Dev Ojha, Dr Tilak Rawal and Om Prakash Yadav have taken the initiative to challenge Gachchhadar.
Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mohammed Wakil Musalman is also among lawmakers who have signed the petition.
Yadav, who is also a party whip, said that they have demanded a parliamentary party meeting to ask the leadership about the party´s stance on Madhesi issues, including federalism, that were incorporated in the four-point agreement reached with the Maoists.
“We´ll ask the chairman about his position on ´One Madhes, one state´ and the citizenship question, among other Madhesi issues raised by the party,” Yadav told Republica.
Addressing a function in Nepalgunj a few days ago, Gachchhadar had said that Tharuhat and ´One Madhes, one state´ were not possible.
Yadav stated that they would go for a motion of no-confidence against the party chairman if he did not move forward on the Madhesi issues.
Lawmaker Gupta, said that they would raise the party policy regarding ´one man one post´ as Gachchhadar has been holding the home and defense portfolios, is leader of the parliamentary party and is party chairman as well.
Gachchhadar has been holding the defense portfolio since Sharat Singh Bhandari resigned from the post in October following his controversial remarks concerning national integrity.
Ojha, who is currently out of the Valley, has faxed his signature for the petition.
“We lawmakers are under intense pressure from the people and party cadres as they have been saying, either move forward on the Madhesi issues or quit the government,” stated Ojha, adding, “We won´t attend the House meetings if the party leadership remains indifferent over the Madhesi cause.”
The lawmakers have accused the party leadership of power-mongering rather than working for the Madhesi cause.
The party has to call a meeting of the parliamentary party within 15 days if 25 percent of the party´s lawmakers demand such a meeting.
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