Lawmakers demand amendment in agreement with Madhes alliance; HM defends the move

Kathmandu / Mar 10: The lawmakers from the ruling party-NCP- have expressed their concern over the agreement between the government and Chandrakanta (CK) Raut-led Alliance for Independent Madhes recently and demanded to amend the agreement.

At the special hour of today’s meeting of House of Representatives, lawmaker Bhim Bahadur Rawal argued some of the words in the agreement were not in line with the spirit of constitution of Nepal.

Rawal said, “Raut has to apologize for spitting venom against nationality and indivisibility in the past. He has not eaten his words against secession. His remarks about renouncing secessionist drive and to forge a peaceful consensus is a contradictory statement. He should correct it and make clear.”

He argued that although the clause 5 of article 56 of the constitution of Nepal mentions about autonomy and although an agreement was made on self-governance, it could not be achieved.

Furthermore, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense demanded with the government to amend the recent agreement inked with the alliance that are not in the interest and welfare of the nation.

On the other note, Rawal viewed that the citizenship certificates should not be issued to the Nepalis in such a manner that pushes them to minority status.

However, Mahesh Basnet claimed that the incumbent government had forged a historic agreement with CK Raut-led group after since with the CPN-Maoist (Centre) while Rajendra Lingden commented that there was political conundrum whether CK Raut group joined the side of government or the government joined the CK Raut group.

He sarcastically said that by the look on things, it appeared to him that the government joined the CK Rau-led group.

Padam Giri and Radha Gyawali argued that by bringing the Raut-led group that was waging secessionist government into mainstream politics was a commendable and historic work of the government.

Likewise, Nepali Congress lawmaker Dr Minendra Rijal questioned the Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, saying, “The Minister of Home Affairs has made an agreement with CK Raut. There should not be referendum on geographical indivisibility related issue. Whoever incites violence is the wrong thing. There is still backlog of peace process. What did the Maoists do in the past?’

He claimed that the incumbent government failed to deliver when it comes to economic development as only current expenditure stands at 35 percent and capital expenditure at 17 per cent while it has been eight months since the new fiscal year.

Renuka Gurung demanded probe into the education consultancies due to which as many as 1,200 Nepali students were left in the lurch in Australia.

Prem Suwal said that the government has its clear viewpoints about the rights of the small countries. He asserted that few human rights defenders and celebrity political leaders were not concerned about the issues facing the small countries.

Divyamani Rajbhandari commented that the stakeholders under the Nepal Telecommunications Authority were not paying attention towards the NCell’s tax evasion issue.

Prem Prasad Tulachan voiced that the extreme snowfall in the hilly districts this winter affected the vehicular activities, construction of roads and other physical infrastructures. He also demanded compensation to the owners of the livestock that were killed in various places across Mustang due to the disrupted traffic government.

Meena Subba said that the government should form a talk team to resolve the issues relating to the former British Gurkha soldiers. She argued, “The British Gurkha soldiers are not non-residential ones. They should continue to obtain the citizenship certificate of the UK.”

Leela Gurung demanded that the victims of conflicts should be declared martyrs and their families should be provided compensation.

Terms used wisely in agreement: Home Minister Thapa

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has said he was surprised to receive reactions from various angles on the political agreement forged between the government and the free Madhes alliance. As he said he was not expecting it, but the happiness and excitement.

Home Minister Thapa said this in response to the demand the lawmakers made at today’s meeting of the House of Representatives on the recent agreement between the government and CK Raut.

“In whatever way the reactions have come, they have contributed to government stand on country’s sovereignty and independence,” he said, adding that the allegation of government’s recklessness on some points of the agreement is mere illusion. “Agreement between the government and CK Raut is historic in terms of protecting Nepal’s sovereignty and integrity.”

The Home Minister further urged all not to worry that the agreement weakens the country. “Constitution has not imagined the split of any part from the country. Some may have been confused on the word ‘abhimat’, but it does not have ambiguity. The terms in the agreement are wisely selected.

According to him, at a time when there were two kinds of groups acting against country’s independence and sovereignty, the group acting for country’s division has joined peaceful way for country’s sovereignty and independence. It is therefore for country’s interest, he asserted, underscoring that it further helps strengthen peace and security.

Moreover, Minister Thapa claimed he was not telling lies that the agreement the government made was to hold a referendum to split Tarai/Madhes from the country. But, it means Madhesi people’s socio-economic and cultural rights would be addressed in a democratic way. It is everyone’s duty to protect the country’s independence, integrity and sovereignty, so it is not good to see this agreement as treacherous and against the constitution.

He, however, made it clear that if the Madhes alliance made the view that the agreement paved way for the referendum, it was against the agreement.

The reports of the commission on investigation of Madhes agitation would be made public as per the need. RSS