MJF manifesto proposes President as chief executive
The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) unveiled its election manifesto on Sunday, proposing President as the chief executive.
The 16-page election manifesto released at a press conference organised at a hotel in Kathmandu says the party will go for federal republican system of governance with right to self-determination and is against any form of monarchy. It also says that Nepal shall be a secular country.
MJF has proposed that even people from the Madhesi community shall be able to hold the portfolio of the all-powerful President, who would be able to serve a maximum of two terms. While uncannily remaining silent on the provision of Prime Minister, the manifesto says that the Chief Minister would also be elected through adult franchise.
Speaking at the press conference, MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav said, "The West-Minister style of governance has completely failed. This is why we have proposed President as the chief executive to be elected through direct voting."
Much like the Nepali Congress which had publicised its manifesto last week, the MJF in its election manifesto mentions two chambers of parliament at the center, one would be House of Representatives and another 'Ethnic Assembly' comprising of people from various communities in Nepal.
Similarly, it states that that there would be legislative assembly in the states, pretty much like in the Indian federal system. Another important thing mentioned by the manifesto is of conducting a census in the country before the drafting of new constitution.
Similarly, the manifesto further says that there would be equal representation of all class, caste, region and gender in every state organ including the Nepal Army. The party also reiterates its original demand of group induction of Madhesi youths in the army that it has proposed to be put under an elected parliament after downsizing its number.
However, unlike other parties, MJF's election manifesto is silent on matters of development including education and health, focusing entirely on rights of Madhesis.
MJF's election manifesto has, however, in a subtle manner raised its previous demand of single Madhesh state.
Speaking at the programme, MJF leader Bijay Gachhedar who had recently defected from NC to join the party, announced that they hope to make the MJF the 'biggest party' of Nepal. nepalnews.com ag Mar 16 08
