Madhesis: Nepal Charter changes are ‘incomplete’

Nepal’s agitating Madhesis on Sunday rejected as “incomplete” the constitutional amendments passed by Parliament for failing to address their concerns over redrawing borders, 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 yesterday 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.

The provisions included in the amendment such as proportionate representation and inclusiveness, and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population were positive, he said, adding it would have been better if the agitating parties were taken into confidence before endorsing the two amendment bills.

The amendments, that addresses the two key demands of the Madhesis who are largely of Indian-origin, were endorsed with a two-thirds majority on Saturday.

The legislators of the agitating parties had boycotted the voting, saying the amendments were “incomplete”, as they fell short of addressing 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 that the proposal by Nepali Congress leaders Minendra Rijal and Farmullah Mansoor was more progressive than the original bill that was filed in Parliament on December 15.

Laxman Lal Karna, vice-president of Sadbhawana Party, said that the amendment proposal does 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.