Nepal constitutional amendments ''incomplete'': Madhesis

Kathmandu, January 24

Nepal's protesting Madhesis rejected constitutional amendments passed by Parliament aas failing to address their concerns over redrawing borders on Sunday, dimming hopes of an early end to the political crisis and blockade of trade points with India.

"Though the constitution amendment bill endorsed by the Parliament on Saturday was positive to some extent, it does not address the demands raised by the agitating Madhesi parties in their entirety," said Rameshwor Raya Yadav, senior Madhesi leader and senior vice-president of Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum Democratic.

Provisions such as proportionate representation and inclusiveness, and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population were positive, he said, adding that the Parliament should have taken the views of the protesting parties before endorsing the two amendment bills.

The amendments, which address the two key demands of the Madhesis, were endorsed with a two-thirds majority yesterday.

The lawmakers of the protesting parties boycotted the vote saying the amendments did not address all their concerns, including redrawing of federal boundaries.

Rajendra Shrestha, co-chair of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal — one of the constituents of the United Democratic Madhesi Front — said proposals by Nepali Congress leaders Minendra Rijal and Farmullah Mansoor were more progressive than the original Bill that was filed in Parliament on December 15.

As many as 24 proposals were filed by more than 100 lawmakers of different parties, seeking to amend the Bill, which was endorsed in the House after incorporating the proposal registered by Rijal and Mansoor.

Madhes-based parties said the revised proposal, in line with which the Constitution Amendment Bill was endorsed, was "incomplete" despite being progressive, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Morcha leaders said that they would thoroughly "study the text" before commenting further.

"But it will be too early to make any comment, as we are yet to go through the amendment proposal," Shrestha said, adding that Morcha's protests would continue unless "there is an agreement on redrawing federal boundaries".

Laxman Lal Karna, vice president of Sadbhawana Party, said that the amendment proposal did little to address the key demands of the agitating Madhesi groups.

"We have not been consulted with, while endorsing the bills," he pointed out.

"The amendment bill does not address the key demand of re-demarcation of the provincial boundary," he added.

Karna said, the official view of the United Democratic Madhesi Front — the four-party alliance — had yet to discuss the Bill to decide their official stand.

Madheshi form more than 50 % of Nepal’s population. They call the Himalayan country’s Constitution that was unveiled in September 2015 discriminatory and say the seven-province formula divides their ancestral land. 

Madhesis demand redrawing provincial boundaries and delimitation of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation.

Protests by the Madhesis have turned violent, killing some 55 people, and have also cut off Nepal’s supplies from India, souring ties between the two countries. — PTI