Movement if no constitution by May 28: Gachchhadar

REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, March 20: India is worried over polarization of left parties in Nepal and the alliance´s efforts to draft a “people´s constitution”, said a senior Madhesi who returned from Delhi on Sunday after meeting Indian leaders.

“I found New Delhi worried over the alliance of the left parties and the possibility of drafting a people´s constitution,” Chairman of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum - Democratic (MPRF-D) Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar told mediapersons upon his return from New Delhi.


But later, while replying to another question, he added, “They did not say anything about political developments in Nepal and that Nepal and Nepalis should make their own decisions on political matters.”

India´s worries seem to have been fuelled after Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal signed the seven-point deal that, among other things, states that the UML and Maoists would lead the government by turns.

Gachhchhadar along with Tarai Madhes Democrat Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Chairman of Nepal Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato had met Indian leaders, including Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and LK Advani of Bharatiya Janata Party, during their four-day political visit to New Delhi.

The former deputy prime minister said they told the Indian leaders that they wanted to see completion of the peace process precede constitution drafting. “We told them that the term of the Constituent Assembly should not be extended and constitution should be drafted by the set deadline. We also told them that we oppose promulgation of a brief constitution,” Gachchhadar said. He also said his party may launch a protest if the three major parties attempted to sideline them.

Asked if Madhesi parties would want a fresh election if the Constituent Assembly fails to give a new constitution by May 28, he said, “The parties should not hurt people´s aspiration.”

Meanwhile, our correspondent from New Delhi reported that the Madhesi leaders could not to meet either PM Manmohan Singh or Chairperson of Congress-I, Sonia Gandhi. While the meeting with Singh was not possible due to India´s parliamentary session, Gandhi is currently out of Delhi.

“We were told that we will be meeting both Singh and Gandhi, but this was unfortunately not possible,” Gachchhadar told Republica. He further said the Madhesi leaders will be visiting New Delhi within two weeks to meet the Indian prime minister and Gandhi.