KATHMANDU, Oct 7: Alleging that the government had turned down their demands despite repeated promises, Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) has announced to launch fresh stir against the current government.
The Madhes-based political party has decided to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Monday through various district administration offices (DAOs) from across the country. Top leaders of RJPN are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Oli and submit memorandum to put pressure on the government to fulfill their demands.
RJPN, which had extended its support to the government in the parliament, has also threatened to withdraw its support if its demands are not fulfilled. The demands include releasing the party cadres who were arrested during Madhes protests in 2015, administering oath of office and secrecy to lawmaker-elect Resham Chaudhary and amending the constitution to address their grievances over some of the provisions of constitution.
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Top leaders of RJPN had held a meeting with Prime Minister Oli in the last week of August. The prime minister, according to RJPN leaders, had then assured to amend the new constitution at the earliest possible date.
RJPN General Secretary Keshav Jha said the decision to launch fresh protest programs came after the government did not pay any heed to their demands. “In the first phase of our protest programs, we are submitting memorandum to Prime Minister Oli through DAOs in various districts across the country on Monday. In Kathmandu, top leaders will personally meet the prime minister and submit memorandum to put pressure on the government to meet our demands,” Jha said.
The leaders said that their coalition government in Province 2 will remain intact for now even if they are forced to withdraw support to the federal government, considering the mandate of Madhesi people in Province 2.
RJPN has a total of 17 lawmakers in the federal parliament. Senior RJPN leaders said they are mulling to withdraw their support to the government and hit the streets if their demands are not met by the end of the upcoming festive season.
“We are already under mounting pressure from our lower-rung leaders to withdraw the party's support to the government as the promises made to us have been turned down by the government,” Jha further said.
As the RJPN prepares to take to the streets demanding amendment to the constitution, a serious fissure is already visible between RJPN and another Madhes-based party, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN). The FSFN has not raised the demand of constitution amendment after its Chairman Upendra Yadav joined the Oli-led cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister along with three other party leaders.
Senior RJPN leaders said although they are taking to the street to put pressure on their demands, this will not affect their coalition government in Province 2 for the time being. The leaders said that their coalition government in Province 2 will remain intact for now even if they are forced to withdraw support to the federal government, considering the mandate of Madhesi people in Province 2.
