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VOL. 27, NO. 43, July11 , 2008 (Ashadh 27 2065 B.S.) |
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"We Will Even Go To The Extent Of Mass Resignation"
Rajendra Mahato
President of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) RAJENDRA MAHATO is one of the prominent leaders of Madhesi agitation. Amid the high voltage political drama surrounding the deadlock at Constituent Assembly, former minister Mahato spoke to SPOTLIGHT on Tuesday evening after the seven parties proposed latest supplementary bill on constitution amendment in order to placate Madhesis. Excerpts:
How do you see the new bill for the constitution amendment?
There are still many lacunae in it. The three major parties have not recognized our demand of one Madhes one Pradesh. Although seven party alliance signed the agreement with us in March accepting our demand for autonomous Madhes, they have betrayed us now.
What would you do at the CA meeting, then? Will you allow its proceedings?
Despite our disagreement with the new bill, we will allow the proceeding of CA since we don't want to make it hostage for such a long time.
You said your demands have not been included in the new bill. Do you plan to present amendment?
We are carefully studying various aspects of the fifth constitutional amendment bill and the supplementary bill in their words and spirit. I have not seen anything new in this bill from a lay man's perspective.
If that is so, why are you going to allow the proceedings of the CA?
That is for the time being. If seven party fail to address our demand, we will take our demands at the CA as well as in the street. This right is reserved with us.
As seven parties -which holds two third majority in the CA which is necessary to amend the constitution - have already indicated that they have limits for your demand, do you still expect that they will add your demands in the future constitution making?
They have to include one Madhes one Pradesh in the new constitution since leaders of seven parties have already publicly expressed their commitment on the agenda.
In case they don't include your demand, what would be your reaction?
We will go for agitation again and we will bring terai to standstill. If this CA is just going to be a rubber stamp of seven parties, we will even go to the extent of mass resignation.
At a time when you have been demanding one Madhes one Pradesh, Tharu communities have launched agitation opposing it. What do you say?
Tharus are also part of our Madhes as there will be equal treatment for all. All the residents of terai including Madhesis are exploited by Khas of hills. We want to end centuries-long colonial rule of Pahadis in Madhes. Majority of Tharus are with us and a small community which are instigated by Khas are trying to sabotage our demand of one Madhes one Pradesh. We will convince all Tharus that autonomy of Madhes will benefit all of us.
Some leaders of seven party alliance have been saying that your demands are directed towards secessionism?
Our initial demand is just for autonomy for Madhes. We want to remain as a part of Nepal. Actually, CPN-Maoist is the first party which pursued the right of self determination for all the communities. If they can pursue autonomy with the right to self determination to other hilly region, what is wrong in our demands? Leaders of seven political parties are hypocrites who don't want to devolve power. We want our own police, judiciary and executive in Madhes, which will take care of the plight of Madhesis.
Many other Madhesi political leaders who secured victory from terai are also saying that your demand of one Madhes one Pradesh is another form of centralization of authority in terai. How do you look at it?
I have already told you that there are some elements in Madhes who are lured by the sweet words and slogans of Pahadis. We have already told them that there will be autonomy within terai for all other groups.
How hopeful that your demand of one Madhes one Pradesh with complete autonomy will be fulfilled?
This is aspiration of people of Madhes. This must be met if Pahadi rulers want to retain the present shape of Nepal.
Your demand is very close to independent status for Madhes, are you also walking along the line pursued by some armed groups who are demanding independent terai?
We will be compelled to think in that line if seven party leaders don't agree on autonomy. Once you launch the agitation, nobody can predict its consequences.
"There Does Not Exist A Single Madhes In The History Of This Country"
Ram Chandra Jha
CPN-UML leader RAM CHANDRA JHA, who was elected from Dhanusha, has been opposing the idea of one Madhes one Pradesh. Jha argues that the one Madhes one Pradesh is a concept to impose another form of centralization of power in terai. Jha spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues regarding the recent debate. Excerpts:
Even though you represent the Madhes region, why do you oppose the concept of one Madhes one Pradesh being advanced by other Madhesi parties?
Of course, I represent Madhes at the CA just like many other friends represent Pahad and Himal. My difference with the demands of one Madhes one Pradesh is purely political. This is another form of centralization of power like what Nepal state witnessed in last 240 years under Shah Dynasty. There are various ethnic, linguistic groups in Terai-Madhes. By pursuing this demand, some of our friends from terai want to be new Prithvi Narayan Shah. There does not exist a single Madhes in the history of this country.
But, the three Madhesi parties have been claiming that Madhes has a long history of its existence. How do you look at it?
There were Maithili Pradesh, Bhojpuri Pradesh, Awadhi Pradesh and Tharuhat. But there was no single unit of Madhes. This is just a political propaganda of some of the regional leaders – some of them even have lost the election.
Pro-Madhesi leaders accuse the politicians like you for discrediting the genuine demands to liberate the Madhesis from centuries-old exploitation of Pahadis?
I am not discrediting anyone. I contested the election from inner Madhes and people voted me to the CA. Had my views been against the wishes of people, I would have been defeated. I want Maithili State not Terai-Madhes. This was what I was voted to pursue.
Madhesi leaders of three regional parties are saying that they will file their resignation en masse in case their demand for one Madhes one Pradesh is not meet? What will you do?
I will continue as a member pursuing my convictions regarding various autonomous states including Maithili Pradesh. It will set a very wrong precedent if they walk out en masse and such move will help nobody. I think it is just a political threat to press other political parties.
Leaders of three Madhesis parties claim that they have overwhelming support in Madhes for their cause. How do you look at it?
Everyone has the right to interpret the mandate in their own wasy. Although our party has badly lost the election, we still secured the largest number of votes in terai. Our voters' strength is much higher than any regional party.
How do you see the possibility of disintegration of Madhes?
Some may wish it. Overwhelming majority of Madhesis are patriotic and they feel proud to be identified as Madhesis of Nepal. I feel proud to be Maithili.
What would be your proposition for the federalism in Nepal?
Nepal should be divided on the basis of its language. As all of us know, there exist Maithili Pradesh and there are large section of people who have their culture, language and traditions. Similarly, Tharus have their own traditions and culture just as Bhojpuris and Awadhs. I don't see any possibility to centralize the power in the name of Madhes.
But, the leaders of Madhesi parties have been saying that they will not budge from their demands?
They will slowly and gradually realize the reality. As they don't have a strong political base, they want to keep this slogan as a spring board.
What does a national party like CPN-UML needs to do about this issue?
National parties need to bring effective programs to address the Madhesi issues permitting more Madhesis in decision making process in the government as well as in the party. Proper environment should be created to show that there is no more discrimination.
Don't you feel lonely when you are taking a different stand than other colleagues from Madhes?
This is just a temporary phenomenon. In the long term, we have to live together with rest of Nepal. For the leaders of Madhes, this kind of demand will have short term gain but in the long term it will have dangerous consequences.
