Speaking at an eight-hour long parliamentary party meeting, the lawmakers came down heavily on the party leadership for not pushing the Madhesi agendas and questioned the relevance of the party staying in the government. [break]
“What is the meaning of staying in the government if the visions we had can´ be realized.” lawmaker Sarba Dev Ojha told the meeting. “Let´s recall our ministers from the cabinet.”
Ojha demanded the party leadership must come up with official stance on the issues of federalism and inclusiveness as non-Madhesi parties were making public statements that a new constitution could be promulgated by keeping aside the issue of federal system.
“How will our party move ahead if a non-federal constitution is promulgated,” stated Ojha.“As the Maoists say they can revolt to press their agendas, we should also go for a movement for Madhesi cause.”
He claimed that the government deliberately prorogued the parliament´s budget session to prevent endorsing a bill on inclusion and a bill on amendment to the interim constitution to address citizenship issue.
Another lawmaker Satrughna Mahato said that the party should issue an ultimatum to the government to implement four-point agreement reached between the UCPN (Maoist) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of five ruling Madhesi parties last August.
“We joined the present coalition government on the ground of the four-point agreement. So, we should withdraw our support to the government, if we can´t implement issues raised in the pact,” Mahato added.
Similarly, lawmaker Nilam Barma said she suggested that the party could extend support to the present coalition even after recalling its members from the government.
“I opined in the meeting that we should continue our support to the government recalling our ministers from the cabinet as they have failed to work as per the Madhesi concerns,” Barma added.
Altogether 17 lawmakers expressed their views in Monday´s meeting. Forest Minister Mohammed Waklil Musalman, Forest State Minister Laxman Mahato and Defense Minister Ram Bachchan Ahir, who spoke on Sunday, had also demanded withdrawal of the party´s support to the government.
According to leaders, six lawmakers will air their views on Tuesday while the party chairman and parliamentary party leader Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar will address issues raised by the lawmakers.
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