SP for forming federalists' alliance

KATHMANDU, July 15: An all-party gathering organized by Sadbhawana Party (SP) concluded that the pro-identity based federalist forces should form an alliance to achieve their causes.



Addressing a press conference organized on Saturday at the Staff College in Lalitpur to announce the conclusions drawn up by the two-day gathering, SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato said, "If there were delays to promulgate a new constitution with identity based federalism, the pro-identity based federalist forces should take to the streets by forming an alliance." [break]



He added that the pro-identity based federalist forces including ruling Madhes-based parties associated with United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) should be ready to make sacrifices to achieve identity-based federalism.



Mahato, who is also the health minister, said the promulgation of a new constitution through a commission or committee would not be acceptable to them. "The new constitution must be promulgated through CA, this is our bottom line," he added.



The gathering concluded that promulgation of a new constitution with identity-based federalism was the major problem of the country.



"Political parties should forge consensus either on revival of the CA or new CA elections to promulgate a new constitution," read the declaration issued after the gathering.



The declaration said if political parties agreed on revival of the CA, they should forge consensus on the contentious issues of the new constitution which were not resolved before the dissolution of the CA on May 27.



The gathering also stressed that number and delineation of provinces should be based on the report prepared by the majority members of the State Restructuring Commission (SRC).



Mahato stated that the conclusions drawn up by the gathering would help find a way out to the current political impasse.



About 350 leaders, including former lawmakers and representatives from ethnic groups, civil society, intellectuals, Dalit, Muslim and other marginalized communities participated in the gathering.



Despite invitations, leaders from Nepali Congress and CPN-UML did not take part in the gathering. However, dissident leaders of CPN-UML Ashok Rai and Rajendra Shrestha attended the event.

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