Talking to Republica’s Biswas Baral and Gani Ansari on Wednesday, MJF Chairperson Upendra Yadav conveyed his flexibility on poll date and reiterated the demand for single autonomous Madhesh province. Going into CA II election, the Madhesh-based parties, in his view, are stronger, not weaker, compared to their strength after CA I election. [break]
What has been your focus in the current round of negotiations?
We have by and large focused on two things. One, guarantee of meaningful election of Constituent Assembly with the participation of all political forces and widest section of the populace. The current situation whereby certain political forces are campaigning for election, others are boycotting the whole process and still others waiting with an ambush on the road to new CA polls is undesirable. We want an end to this state of uncertainty. Two, the causes behind the failure of the last Constituent Assembly have not been addressed. We want to sort out these issues and ensure that the new CA will give us a constitution. For this we need political understanding on core values of new constitution. If this happens the political conflict that led to the dissolution of the CA will come to an end.
Bijay Rai/Republica
What have been your main demands?
The resignation of Khil Raj Regmi from the post of Chief Justice; constituency delimitation on the basis of population; an environment for all Nepalis to take part in election—the current voter list put out by the Election Commission leaves out around five million potential voters; and a framework of new constitution. These are our major demands. On our last demand, why elect a CA that cannot come up with a constitution? There is widespread fear that lawmakers will use the new CA cum parliament more for dirty power plays than for constitution making, just like the last time. Thus it is important that there be prior agreements on new constitution based on achievements of past movements like 2006 Jana Andolan and Madhesh Andolan.
Isn’t there a danger that bringing up these political issues at the eleventh hour will jeopardize the prospect of November vote?
If there is no prior understanding on these contentious political issues, even the new CA won’t be able to give us a constitution. This is not our precondition for participation in polls. This is the need of the country. We want agreement on these issues ahead of the polls, but if there can be no such understanding then we will have to rethink our options. We want to be convinced the new CA will be able to deliver a constitution.
The Election Commission has said that if there is no agreement on vital election related issues in the next few days, its poll calendar might be irreparably affected.
The calendar of Election Commission is not important. More important is bailing the country out of the deep quagmire it now finds itself in.
Is it not important for the country to go to the polls on November 19?
November 19 is not some auspicious day that new election must be held on the very day. Date is not important. Issues are important. It is the Election Commission’s duty to give a date; but it is the responsibility of the political parties to find the solution to the political crisis.
One of your important demands has been an increase in PR component in the new CA. What exactly do you want?
We want electoral seats to be divided exactly as they were in the last CA. We are not concerned with actual numbers. There might be fewer seats than there were in last CA. What we want is the retention of the 42-58 (FPTP-PR) seat break-down. Again, rather than the actual numbers we are more concerned about the ratio.
One of your demands has been the dissolution of HLPC. Why can’t you and other disgruntled forces join it instead?
I don’t understand why we need a government above a legitimate government. HLPC must go. This is our bottom-line. Likewise, we want the resignation of Regmi as CJ. But we are still in discussion. Let’s see where it goes.
You don’t seem very keen on holding election on the scheduled date.
There are many challenges, but election can still be held if the right effort is made. But again, it is better to have no election at all than have an election where some parties go to the polls, others boycott it and still others wait in ambush. If postponing election ensures widespread political participation, meaningful election and a constitution, we are open to the option. The country should not be held hostage by a date.
You said poll postponement might be considered. But won’t the country face an even bigger crisis then since even the legitimacy of the executive will come under question?
In case there can be no election, things might get a little complicated. But I don’t think it will go beyond the political parties’ capacity to manage.
Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist has also been agitating against the current government and HLPC. Do you see it entering the electoral fray?
Mohan Baidya entered the last CA through the electoral process. It is not that they are opposed to new CA polls on principle. Although they have engaged in activities aimed at disrupting polls, I believe there is still room to bring them on board. But it all depends on whether the four-party syndicate will be able to create this space.
Going into new election what do you think are the main issues of Madhesh?
The main issue of Madhesh is ending the centuries-old discrimination, oppression and subjugation of the Madheshi people. This means recognizing Madhesh as an autonomous province. After this, there are questions of Madheshi identity and inclusion at all state organs. These are also the agendas of other oppressed and marginalized communities in Nepal. I believe the Madhesh movement has opened up a new road for the country.
In the Madhesh autonomous province you envision, will there be one state, or more than one?
When we say autonomous Madhesh, there is no question of two or three entities. It is a single entity. Past agreements following Madhesh Andolan as well as the Interim Constitution clearly mentions an autonomous Madhesh province.
The issue of single autonomous Madhesh proved to be rather divisive during the tenure of last CA. Won’t resurrecting the demand hamper future political negotiations?
It is not a question of what Nepali Congress or UML think about this issue. When have they been in favor of Madhesis? If people of Madhesh want a single autonomous province, they will get it. This is a question of social justice, identity and very existence of the Madhesi people. No one can deny them this right.
The field reports of NC and UML show Madhesh-based parties have lost ground and each claims that it will emerge the largest political entity after election.
All three major parties claim they will be number one in election. Apparently, no one will be number two. This is nonsense. Madhesh trusted Congress time and again, but what has Congress done for Madhesh in return? Nothing. How will Congress answer for this abject abdication of its responsibility?
Isn’t there a perception among common Madheshis that even the local parties they voted for in last CA election failed to live up to their expectations?
In the four years of last constitutional exercise, decisive power was never in the hands of Madhesis. All they had was a voice. Madheshi people clearly understand who has been consistently speaking up and fighting for their cause.
Do you accept the position of Madhesh-based parties has weakened?
The opposite is the case. Madheshi parties are gaining in strength. The level of awareness among Madhesis has gone up, the organizational strength of Madheshi forces has increased, and internal interactions among Madhesi forces have increased too. All this adds to our strength. Yes, we might not have managed to live up to big expectations, but tell me, what is the alternative? Madhesis placed great hopes on Congress.
What did they get in return? The Maoists had promised during the civil war that ‘people’s government’ would solve all their problems. Again, nothing. In fact, it is due to the initiative of Madhesh-based parties that Madhesis now enjoy a distinct identity and reservation in civil services. Madheshi parties have been instrumental in the identity movements of dalits and janajatis as well. All these are achievements of the Madhesh Andolan led by MJF.
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