Kathmandu, November 17. Online Khabar caught up with Federal Socialist Party leader Upendra Yadav to discuss the Madhesh Movement, which has been going on for more than three months, and its logical conclusion.
During the interview at the party office in Tinkune on Tuesday, Yadav levelled some serious allegations against the KP Oli-led ruling coalition.
Here’s a brief overview of the one-on-one with one of the leaders of the United Democratic Madheshi Front that has been spearheading the movement in the southern plains.
On PM Oli’s address to the people: The address was like a budget speech. It was long and rudderless. The address should have come up with a clear perspective on current national issues, befitting a Prime Minister. That figures nowhere in the speech.
Lack of clarity: Through his speech, the prime minister should have expressed commitment to redrawing provincial boundaries to appease Madhesh, indigenous nationalities and Tharu people, through constitutional amendment, if the need arises. Commitment to this effect was lacking in his speech. His vague speech reminds one of a cancer patient relying on a witch doctor for his medical treatment.
On PM’s appeal to call off movement, opt for talks: Our demands are not new. They are based on 22 and eight-point agreements reached with government in course of Madhesh Movement. Who will be ready to call off a movement based on an appeal from a government that does not keep its words?
On the government: Smugglers are running this government. The government is bent on committing treason by spoiling social harmony existing between Madhesh and Pahad. It can neither problems of the Madhesh (the southern plains), nor that of Pahad (the hills).
On the Nepali Congress: The Congress and the government are alike. Their views are almost identical.
On UDMF demands: Our demands are clear. Autonomous Madhesh province, proportionally inclusive system, delineation of election constituencies on the basis of population, national status for languages spoken in Madhesh and other parts of the country, an end to ethnicity, region and class-based discrimination. Address our demands by incorporating them in the new constitution this time. On several occasions, we called off our movements after getting assurances and reaching agreements, only to get cheated. This government relies on smugglers and mafia. It does not have moral courage, so it cannot solve any problems: It can neither solve problems of the Madhesh, nor of Pahad, nor of Himal nor of Kathmandu.
On recalling strike in view of hardships: General strike, movement, revolution, transformation, they all cause hardships. Struggle is not like a marriage party. Revolution is never easy, but it creates a new order, a new society. Those at the helm understand this. They (the CPN-UML) achieved the unachievable through the communist movement and the Jhapa revolt. In course of the Maoist people’s war, 17,000 people lost lives. The Congress’ armed revolt is also a living testimony. Compared to these events, our movement is very disciplined and peaceful. We are only hampering cross-border movement, braving lathis.
On major demand: Province delineation is the main demand. The conspiracy is to split Madhesh into five parts, include four of them in Pahad and Himalayan regions, turn Pahad’s indigenous nationalities into minorities and let Khas-Arya people continue their rule. On the other hand, there’s a conspiracy to weaken Madhesh and continue atrocities against them (Madheshi people). People have understand this design.
On Prachanda’s ‘alternative proposal’: Prachandaji has not floated any proposal so far. He had the high-level political committee make a decision to create a conducive environment for talks. We have already held seven rounds of talks with the talks committee. Efforts have not moved ahead from that point.
On two-province Madhesh demand: In fact, this is the demand that Prachanda-led 31-party alliance had put forth. Our proposal is their proposal.
On UDMF’s future strategy: Our strategy is straightforward. Continuing our struggle for fulfilment of our demands.
On continuation of talks: Talks have taken place and those on the other side of the negotiating table have already understood our demands. Now, they have to make a decision.
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