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Madhesis’ forum sets conditions

KATHMANDU: The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum’s former coordinator, Upendra Yadav on Tuesday said the provision to elect the President by a two-thirds parliamentary vote was irrelevant.

While political parties are in favour of a simple majority, the Maoists are firm over retaining the existing two-thirds majority rule. However, the Forum has accepted the Maoists’ proposal to elect an executive President — rather than a ceremonial one — and an executive Prime Minister. Mr. Yadav said sidelining the Maoists would spark another conflict

. “It’s not a good thing to push the Maoists to a corner when a new Constitution is yet to be drafted; it could invite another conflict as they haven’t completely disarmed,” he said. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum has been demanding autonomy for the Madhes region. To a question on whether autonomy meant an association with India, Mr. Yadav said: “It’s a mistake to associate Madhesis with India or Pakistan. We are Nepalis and don’t want to get mixed with others.”

The World Hindu Federation (Nepal National Committee) will hold protests from June 5 against the Constituent Assembly’s decision to declare Nepal a secular country.

Federation’s international chairman Hem Bahadur Karki on Tuesday demanded the decision should be withdrawn. Mr. Karki said: “In the name of the people’s mandate, their religious beliefs are ignored.”

“We demand the decision to be changed in the next CA meeting [to be held on June 5],” he added.

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