नया संविधान को लडाइ

लडाइ त्यो थियो जो २००६ अप्रिल मा भयो। देशमा मानव अधिकार र लोकतंत्र स्थापित भयो। लडाइ त्यो थियो जो मधेसी क्रान्ति का दौरान भयो। देशमा संघीयता र समावेशीता स्थापित गर्यो। ती क्रान्ति का उपलब्धि बजाप्ते अंतरिम संविधान मा स्थापित भइ सकेका छन। त्यो अंतरिम संविधान को रक्षा का लागि सर्वोच्च अदालत छ, शीतल निवास छ। अंतरिम संविधान को रक्षा यस राष्ट्रपति को एक मात्र जिम्मेवारी हो। त्यस अंतरिम संविधान ले पैदा गरेको संविधान सभा, त्यस संविधान सभा लाई आदेश छ, पाइसकेका उपलब्धि लाई संस्थागत गर्न देश का लागि एउटा स्थायी संविधान लेख भनेर। अंतरिम संविधान मा थप्न पाइन्छ, घटाउन पाइँदैन।

लोकतंत्र हटाउन पाइयेन, दुई तिहाई ले पनि पाइयेन। गणतन्त्र हटाउन पाइयेन, दुई तिहाई ले पनि पाइयेन। मानव अधिकार हटाउन पाइयेन, दुई तिहाई ले पनि पाइयेन। संघीयता हटाउन पाइयेन, दुई तिहाई ले पनि पाइयेन। समावेशीता हटाउन पाइयेन, दुई तिहाई ले पनि पाइयेन।

संविधान सभा ले संसद को काम गर्छ तर यो अरु बेलाको जस्तो संसद होइन। संसद मा व्हिप जारी गर्ने भन्ने हुन्छ। संविधान सभा मा व्हिप जारी हुँदैन। भनेको प्रत्येक सभासद ले आफ्नो विवेक ले देखेको बोल्ने, र आफ्नो विवेक ले देखे अनुसार मत खसाल्ने नखसाल्ने भन्ने हुन्छ।

अंतरिम संविधान छ। पहिलो संविधान सभा का उपलब्धि र सहमति छन। दोस्रो संविधान सभा का उपलब्धि र सहमति छन। संघीयता को सीमांकन र नामांकन बाहेक बाँकी काम भइसकेको थियो।

ती सबै लाई नजरअंदाज गर्दै संविधान को पहिलो मस्यौदा गैर कानुनी रुपले लयाइयो र अरबौं को खर्च मा देश भरि बाँडे जस्तो गरियो। सुझाव संकलन को नाटक भयो। संघीयता को सीमांकन र नामांकन बाहेक बाँकी काम भइसकेको अवस्था थियो, तर अब को नया अवस्था पुराना उपलब्धि पनि छताछुल्ल भएको अवस्था छ। सीमांकन बिनाको संविधान ल्याउने धम्की र पुराना उपलब्धि डकैती गर्ने प्रयास नया राजनीतिक यथार्थ हो।

मस्यौदा को प्रस्तावना मा किटेरै भन्नु पर्ने २००६ अप्रिल क्रान्ति र मधेसी क्रांति, तर दुबै लाई छुटाइएको छ। देशमा गणतन्त्र स्थापित गरेको १० वर्षे गृहयुद्ध ले होइन, २००६ अप्रिल क्रांति ले हो। सबै पार्टी ले मिलेर १९९६ अप्रिल मा त्यस्तो क्रांति गरेको भए पनि देश गणतंत्र मा जान्थ्यो।

संविधान लेख्छु वोट देउ भनेर माओवादी ले वोट मागेको, चुनाव पनि जितेको। पहिलो संविधान सभा प्रचण्ड को असक्षमता ले गर्दा तुहियो। अनावश्यक कोटवाल सँग निहुँ खोजेर, आफसेआफ पदमुक्त हुने र लगत्तै भएको पनि कोटवाल। सेना प्रमुख पद मुक्त गर्ने तरिका थियो, आफ्नो कैबिनेट बाट पहिला पास गराउने अनि पास भएको निर्णय शीतल निवास पुर्याउने। सेना प्रमुख पद मुक्त गर्नु पर्ने कुनै कारण थिएन। बेकारमा देश विदेश मा माओवादी को इमेज मात्र ख़राब भयो। मुख्य कुरा देश ले संविधान पायेन।

अहिले को लडाइ तीन कदम को छ। पहिलो कदम संविधान सभा भित्र को अंक गणित को लडाइ हो। दलित मधेसी जनजाति महिला एक ढिक्का हुने बेला हो यो। पाकिसकेको भात काग लाई खान नदिने, त्यति सजिलो काम। गार्हो काम त्यो थियो जुन शहीद हरुले गरेर गए।

अंतरिम संविधान सँग बाझ्ने संविधान यदि संविधान सभा ले पास गरे त्यस लाई सर्वोच्च अदालत मा जो सुकै ले गएर चुनौति दिन पाऊँछ, र जित्छ पनि। अंतरिम संविधान सँग बाझ्ने संविधान यदि संविधान सभा ले पास गरे पनि त्यो लागु गर्ने भनेको राष्ट्रपतिले हो, र राष्ट्रपति लाई अंतरिम संविधान सँग बाझ्ने संविधान लागु गर्ने कुनै अधिकार छैन। यो त अंतरिम संविधान सँग बाझ्यो, कृपया सच्याएर पठाउनुस् भनेर फिर्ता पठाउनु पर्ने हुन्छ।

नया काम केही गर्नु नपर्ने, पाइसकेका उपलब्धि जगेर्ना गर्ने, र सर्वोच्च अदालत र शीतल निवास आफ्नो पक्ष मा, सत्य को पक्षमा भएको बेला व्हिप जारी नहुने संविधान सभा मा संविधान सभा भित्र का विभिन्न पार्टी का दलित मधेसी जनजाति महिला एक ढिक्का भएर देश मा गलत संविधान आउन नदिने र सही संविधान ल्याउने बेला हो यो।

अंतरिम संविधान मा थप्न मिल्छ, घटाउन मिल्दैन। नथपि नहुने कुरा एउटा छ: प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचित प्रधान मंत्री, मुख्य मंत्री, मेयर र वडा अध्यक्ष। संविधान ले आर्थिक क्रांति गर्दैन। संविधान ले संघीयता दिने होइन। संविधान ले संघीयता का लागि जग्गा दिने हो। संघीयता को घर बनाउने काम त अझ बाँकी नै हुन्छ। प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचित प्रधान मंत्री बिना नेपालमा आर्थिक क्रांति भनेको आकाश को फल आँखा तरी मर।

संविधान सभा सदस्य लाई व्हिप लागु हुँदैन

संविधान सभा भनेको अरु बेलाको जस्तो संसद होइन, संविधान सभा सदस्य लाई व्हिप लागु हुँदैन। संसद मा जस्तो पार्टी को व्हिप लागु हुँदैन। संविधान सभा का हनुमान हरु जाग्नु पर्यो। संविधान सभा सदस्य ले आफ्नो विवेक ले देखेको कुरा बोल्ने हो र आफ्नो विवेक अनुसार वोट खसाल्ने हो। आफुलाई मत दिएका जनता प्रति जवाफदेहिता देखाउने हो न कि आफ्नो पार्टी को हाई कमाण्ड प्रति। पार्टी अध्यक्ष संविधान सभा को मर्यादा विरुद्ध जान पाउँदैन। संविधान सभा सदस्य लाई व्हिप लागु हुँदैन भन्ने यथार्थ लाई छल्न कुनै पनि पार्टी अध्यक्ष ले चोर ढोका खोज्दै हिँड्ने अधिकार छैन। अनौपचारिक व्हिप को पनि संभावना छैन। संविधान सभा सदस्य लाई कसैले डर त्रास लोभ लालच देखाउने कुरा आउँदैन। तर्क वितर्क हुन्छ, विचार आदान प्रदान हुन्छ, छलफल हुन्छ, सरसल्लाह हुन्छ। तर संविधान सभा सदस्य लाई कसैले डराउने धम्क्याउने भन्ने हुँदैन। विशेष गरी दलित मधेसी जनजाति महिला संविधान सभा सदस्य हरुले आ-आफ्नो समुह र समुदाय को हित को ख्याल राख्नुपर्ने बखत हो यो। संसद होइन कि प्रत्येक पाँच वर्ष मा आइहाल्छ भन्ने हुने। यो संविधान सभा ले संविधान पास गरे पछि सकियो। अर्को संविधान सभा आउँदैन। त्यस पछि आउने भनेको संसद मात्र हो र त्यहाँ व्हिप लागु हुने हुन्छ। अहिले पास भए पछि संविधान को कुनै कुरा फेर्न दुई तिहाई चाहिने हुन्छ जुन कि बटुल्न गार्हो हुन्छ। त्यसैले अहिले कसै को लहै लहै मा लागेर आ-आफ्नो समुह र समुदाय को र देशको हित विरुद्ध मत दिने काम गर्ने होइन। अहिलेसम्म राज्य संरचना बाट टाढा राखिएका समुह र समुदाय लाई न्याय दिलाउने बेला यही हो। पंचायत कालमा धनुषा जिल्ला मा हेम बहादुर मल्ल ले निरक्षर मुसहर हरु लाई कैलकुलेटर देखाएर "तिमी हरुले मलाई वोट दिएनौ भने तिमी हरुको नाम यसमा आउँछ" भनेर तरसाए जस्तो अहिले ठुला ठुला पार्टी अध्यक्ष हरुले आफ्नै पार्टी का मधेसी जनजाति सभासद हरु लाई छलछाम गर्ने तरकीब हरु सोंचि रहेको उराठलाग्दो अवस्था छ। होशियार। सावधान। जागते रहो!

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४० मिनेट लामो भेटमा प्रचण्डले नेपालमा भएको भूकम्पको त्रासदीको बेलामा सबभन्दा पहिला भारतले उद्दार र राहतको पहल गरेकोमा धन्यवाद र आभार व्यक्त गरेका थिए । साथै दाता सम्मलेनमा भारतद्वारा भएको सहयोगको घोषणामा पनि प्रचण्डले धन्यवाद दिएका थिए । ..... विहिवार नै प्रचण्डले त्यस्तै राष्ट्रपति प्रणव मुखर्जीसँग पनि भेटवार्ता गरेका थिए । राष्ट्रपति मुखर्जीले संविधान निर्माणमा कसैलाई पनि आफ्नो कुरा राख्न पाइएन भन्ने अवसर नदिन सुझाव दिएका थिए ।

माओवादी विद्रोहको लज्जास्पद खुलासा

माओवादी नेताहरू पुष्पकमल दाहाल र डा. बाबुराम भट्टराईलाई भारतीय संस्थापनसँग सम्पर्क गराउन महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निर्वाह गरेका एसडी मुनि त्यसबेला जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालयका प्राध्यापक थिए । ..... भारतीय संस्थापनसँगको माओवादी सम्बन्धको यो खुलासाले उसले १० वर्षे ‘जनयुद्ध’ र राष्ट्रियताको आन्दोलनलाई नेपाली इतिहासको सबभन्दा भद्दा मजाक प्रमाणित गरिदिएको छ । ..... दक्षिण कोरियाका लागि नेपालका पूर्व राजदूत कमल कोइराला भारतीय संस्थापन र माओवादी नेतृत्वबीचको साँठगाँठबाट नेपालको १० वर्ष कसरी खेर गयो भन्ने प्रष्ट भएको बताउँछन् । विदेशी जासूसी संस्थासँग त्यो हदको सम्बन्ध रहेका दुई जना देशका प्रधानमन्त्री भइसके । यसले नेपालको अवस्था कति दयनीय छ भन्ने देखाउँछ । .... सशस्त्र विद्रोहका बेला आफू धेरैजसो भारतमै बसेको कुरा माओवादी नेता प्रचण्डले पछि स्वीकारेका छन् । ..... “केही महीनामै पत्रको जवाफ यस रूपमा आयो कि माओवादीहरूमाथि भारतमा हुँदैआएको गुप्तचरहरूको निगरानी र आवतजावतमा बन्देज खुकुलो पारियो र आईबीको एउटा टोलीले माओवादीका प्रतिनिधिहरूसँग छलफल गरयो । ...... ज्ञानेन्द्रले १९ माघको शाही घोषणामार्फत एकलौटी सत्ता कब्जा गरेपछि ‘धोका’ महसूस गरेका दाहाल पुनः भारतसँग लम्पसार पर्न तयार भए । त्यसपछि दिल्ली पठाइएका बाबुरामले २०६१ चैततिर भारतीय संस्थापन र नेपाली नेताहरूलाई भेटे, जुन १२ बुँदे सहमतिको प्रारम्भकाल बन्यो । ....... श्रीलंकाका तामिल विद्रोहीहरूलाई भारतमा सशस्त्र तालिम दिएको कुरा सन् १९८४ मा इन्डिया टुडे का संवाददाता शेखर गुप्ताले सार्वजनिक गर्दा भारतीय लोकसभामा हंगामा मच्चिएको थियो । त्यसबेलाका मन्त्री केके तिवारी जवाफहीन भएर पत्रकार गुप्तालाई देशद्रोहीको आरोप लगाउने अवस्थामा पुगेका थिए । ...... राजस्थानको ब्राह्मण परिवारमा जन्मिएका एसडी (सुखदेउ) मुनि दिल्लीस्थित जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालय (जेएनयु) मा लामो समय राजनीतिशास्त्रका प्राध्यापक रहे । बाबुरामले २०४० को दशकको मध्यमा त्यही विश्वविद्यालयबाट क्षेत्रीय विकासमा पीएचडी गरे । पीएचडीमा बाबुरामको गाइड प्रोफेसर आटिया हबिब किड्वाई थिइन् । ......... बाबुरामले भारतका अरू कसैसँग भेट्नुअघि वा पछि मुनिसँग भेट्ने गरेको बताइन्छ । यसको मतलब उनी आफूले भेट्ने व्यक्तिबारे जानकारी लिन र भेटपछि उसले भनेको कुराको विश्लेषण गर्न मुनिलाई प्रयोग गर्थे । बाबुराम–प्रचण्डको भारतीय एजेन्सी र सत्ताका अङ्गहरूसँगका सहजकर्ता मुनि नै थिए ।

आयोगको सिफारिसमा सङ्घीयताको नामाङ्कन र सीमाङ्कन हुनुपर्छ:अध्यक्ष ओली

Baburam Bhattarai Could Save The Day

एक दिन पनि ढिला नगरी संविधान : भट्टराई
‘मस्यौदा समितिको कार्य अनधिकृत’

भट्टराईले पहिलो संविधानसभा र संवाद समितिमा भएका पूर्व सहमति विपरित मस्यौदामा आएका विषय समेत सच्याउनुपर्ने बताएका छन् । ...... सत्तारुढ कांग्रेस–एमालले विगतमा अघि सारेको सात प्रदेशको नक्सा सहितको प्रस्ताव र एमाओवादी नेतृत्वको प्रतिपक्षी मोर्चाले प्रस्ताव गरेको दश प्रदेशको सीमा सहितको नक्सालाई एकै ठाउँमा राख्दा केही घन्टामानै आठ प्रदेशको सीमा निर्धारण हुन सक्ने उनले बताए । .......

‘मस्यौदा भएका कमजोरी सच्याउने सच्याउने ठाउँ संवाद समिति हो । ‘संवाद समितिलाई प्राप्त हुने अन्तिम अवसरको सदुपयोग गर्नु पर्छ,’ उनले भने– ‘मस्यौदा समितिले अनधिकृत र असावधानीवस उल्ट्याएका पूर्व सहमतिका विषयलाई पहिलेकै ठाउँमा ल्याउनुको विकल्प छैन ।’

अंतरिम संविधान, पहिलो संविधान सभा, र संवाद समिति मा भएका पुर्व सहमति मान्दिन भन्नु म भकुण्डो हात ले नै खेल्छु भन्ने लिंडेढिपी गर्नु हो।  र त्यो लिंडेढिपी मस्यौदा समिति ले गरेको छ। त्यसलाई बाबुराम भट्टराई ले आफ्नो संवाद समिति मा सच्याउनु पर्छ। देश लाई विस्फोटक परिस्थिति बाट बचाउनु पर्छ। असंतुष्ट पक्ष हरुको नया माग केही पनि त छैन। भइसकेका सहमति मान भन्ने मात्र छ।

प्रदेश को आत्म निर्णय को अधिकार के हो त्यसले राष्ट्रिय एकता कसरी सबल बनाउँछ?

संविधान सभामा अंक गणित
मोदी को सहमति माथि को जोड़ कायम
लोकतंत्र र संघीयता: Atom र Molecule
मध्य पहाड़ी राजमार्ग का लागि चाहिने रु. ४० अर्ब
Poverty In The Terai
संविधान मस्यौदा सच्याउने मेरो प्रयास
संघीयता को झगड़ा मा संख्या गौण विषय हो
नेपालको संविधान र ज्यामिति
प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचित वडा अध्यक्ष छैन मस्यौदा मा
प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचित प्रधान मंत्री, अप्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचित राष्ट्रपति
खस हरुको पहिचान को शब्द ले सारा देश को नाम
प्रचण्ड का लागि सबैभन्दा सम्मानजनक बाटो

राजनीतिक पार्टी ले पार्टी चलाउन सरकार बाट पैसा पाउने
आरजु राणा देउवा र संविधान मस्यौदा र महिला अधिकार
काँग्रेसले वोट माग्दा यसरी मागेको
मधेस का जनता द्वारा पहाड़ का जनता लाई एक बिलियन डॉलर
एक तिहाई महिला लाई आरक्षित निर्वाचन क्षेत्र
कमिला र मौरी: उज्जवल थापा र म
भोक लाग्यो भन्दैमा Fertilizer खाने?
मधेसी किल्ला
जुन कुरा राजनीतिक स्थिरता नै होइन
विष्णु व्यक्ति को प्रश्न
यी चार पार्टी एकीकरण गर्ने हो
गगन थापा को प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचित प्रधान मंत्री/राष्ट्रपति को पक्षको अडान
प्रचण्ड को कटुवाल प्रकरण
एमाले को अन्तिम प्रधान मंत्री झलनाथ खनाल
काठमाण्डु का मलाई सबै भन्दा मनपर्ने दुई कुरा: मम र मह
जनजाति प्रधान सेनापति
नेपाली काँग्रेस मा राणा शासन
प्राधिकरण र भ्यागुतावाद
देश तीन पार्टी सिस्टम मा गए राम्रो हुन्थ्यो

लोकतंत्र, संघीयता र आर्थिक क्रान्ति

एक तिहाई महिला लाई आरक्षित निर्वाचन क्षेत्र

यो आईडिया को बारे गफ भएको हो, केही वर्ष अगाडि, पटक पटक --- तर मस्यौदा मा कतै छैन। एक तिहाई महिला लाई आरक्षित निर्वाचन क्षेत्र।

पार्टी सभापति लाई कम ताकतवर बनाउनु पर्ने ठाउँ मा उल्टो हुँदैछ। समानुपातिक निर्वाचन ले दमजम लाई ताकतवर बनाउने काम कम, पार्टी अध्यक्ष हरुलाई ताकतवर बनाउने काम बढ़ी गरेको छ।

बरु निर्वाचन क्षेत्र नै छुट्याउने। महिला लाई छुट्याइएको निर्वाचन क्षेत्रमा जुन सुकै पार्टी को पनि उम्मेदवार महिला मात्र हुन पाउने। अनि त्यसरी निर्वाचित महिला को आत्म विश्वास अर्कै लेवल को हुन्छ। अहिले त समानुपातिक मा परेर आएका हरु पार्टी अध्यक्ष को इशारा कुर्दै बस्ने चलन छ। त्यो कस्तो सशक्तिकरण?

यसमा पनि ५१-४९ नै गरे कसो होला? ५१% खुला प्रतिस्प्रधा अनि ४९% आरक्षित निर्वाचन क्षेत्र। यो ४९% मध्ये दलित, मधेसी, जनजाति लाई छुट्याउने ---- अनि प्रत्येक को आधा महिला लाई। २०% मधेसी, २०% जनजाति, १०% दलित, अनि त्यस मध्ये प्रत्येक मा आधा महिला।

अनि खुला प्रतिस्प्रधा को कोटा बाट अर्को १०% महिला लाई ---- जुन सुकै पृष्ठभूमि को होस्। त्यसरी महिला लाई एक तिहाई मा पुर्याउने।

नेपालमा सार्वभौमसत्ता जनतामा छ भने

नेपालको संसदले बहुमत द्वारा जनमतमा संग्रहमा जाने निर्णय गर्न सक्छ। जनमत के भन्दा खेरी ---- नेपाल अलग देश भएर बस्ने कि भारतको एक राज्य बन्ने? भारतको राज्य बन्दा नेपाल र नेपालीको आर्थिक प्रगति द्रुततर गतिमा हुने कुरा हुन सक्छ। भारतको राज्य बने पछि नेपाल भुपरिवेष्टित राष्ट्र हुने भएन।

जनमत संग्रहमा भारत को राज्य बन्ने भन्ने मतले बहुमत पाउनु पर्यो। अनि हुन्छ।

तर यो पूरै अभ्यास मा भारत तठस्थ बस्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। पूरै अभ्यास लोकतान्त्रिक र अहिंसात्मक हुनुपर्छ। The highest standards in free and fair elections should be followed. International observers should verify that.

उसै पनि खस पनि, मधेसी पनि र जनजाति पनि, दलित पनि, महिला पनि ---- सबै नेपालमा भन्दा भारतमा बढ़ी संख्यामा छन। भारत त्यस्तो नौलो भुमि होइन।

यस बारे मेरो के छ विचार? म न्यूट्रल हो। नेपाल लोकतंत्र, संघीयता र दक्षिण एशिया को आर्थिक एकीकरण को बाटोमा हिड्छ भने अलग देश भएर पनि धेरै प्रगति गर्न सक्छ। तर त्यो बाटोमा अहिले हिँडेको छैन, खुट्टा घिसारेको छ।

मेरो यो blog post एउटा theoretical exercise हो। नेपालमा सार्वभौमसत्ता जनतामा छ भन्छन --- त्यो भनेको के भनेर कसैले सोध्छन भने मैले एउटा जवाफ यो पनि दिन्छु। नेपालमा सार्वभौमसत्ता जनतामा छ भनेको यो पनि हो भनेर भन्छु।

यो मानव अधिकार हो। Right to self determination.

Does The World Government Have To Await A Total Spread Of Democracy?
World Government And Federal States

Completely Proportional Election: Meeting Point With The Maoists

एक मात्र िमलनिवन्दु: पुर्ण समानुपाितक िनर्वाचन
I Agree With Prachanda On Republic And Proportional Election

The Maoists have two key demands right now.

1. Declare republic right away.
2. Hold completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly.
   

I agree with both of them wholeheartedly.

All eight parties are formally for a republic. So there is no point in pretending we don't know what the country wants. There is no point in pretending we don't know what the Nepali people want. Republic was the primary street slogan during the April Revolution. If the eight parties were to declare a republic now, they will have been a year and a half behind schedule already.

If the country is not declared a republic right away, the monarchy is going to be a major distraction on the campaign trail. Any further discussion on the issue of the monarchy is going to be a major waste of national political energy. Declare the country a republic and be done with it.

So that the primary discussion during the election campaign ends up being the shape and form of federalism and the size and composition of the national army. Then every party is going to be forced to take clear positions on some key questions.

1. How many states do you think Nepal should have? What does your map look like? What do you think should be the power distribution between the federal, state and local governments?
   
2. How big should the Nepal Army be? What should be its ethnic and gender composition?
   

Holding completely proportional elections I hope is accompanied by the formation and emergence of a strong Dalit party. The Dalits need completely proportional elections more than any other community. They are such a dispersed population. They are also the most marginalized of all groups in the country.

Holding completely proportional elections means you end up with a Rai party, a Limbu party, a Tamang party, a few Madhesi parties. Actually you end up with lots of Madhesi parties, maybe about a half dozen small and big Madhesi parties, and that is okay.

All that is necessary. A Dalit party with a Dalit national party president is way more meaningful than token Dalit MPs under the leadership of Bahun party leaders in the old, large parties.

Holding completely proportional elections is going to be a major boost to the cause of social justice in Nepal.

There should be only one rule. At least every third name on a party's list must be female, other than that there are no rules. And reduce the size of the proposed assembly. Make it more like 300. 500 is too large. That is how many they have in India and America, and those are big, rich populations.

If you make it 300, any party that gets 0.33% of the votes counts and gets one MP in the assembly.

Holding respectful dialogue with the Maoists and the armed Madhesi groups is a must to conduct meaningful elections. (Talk To Goit) You deal with the Madhesi Maoists like you dealt with the Pahadi Maoists. Release all their cadres, take back all cases filed against them, put all their soldiers into cantonments, and tell them to go compete at the polls during the completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly.

Agreeing to hold completely proportional elections also means it will be more likely elections will take place in November. So far the 240 constituencies have not been delineated. When they are, the delineation is bound to be controversial, and hence another cause for distraction. It is so much easier to have the entire country as one constituency.

Also it is better for a largely illiterate country to have only one ballot paper. That will be less confusion.

Holding completely proportional elections will mean all parties will go to the people solo. There will be no need for pre-poll electoral alliances. Parties competing with each other is good for the voters, it is good for democracy. I am opposed to the idea of eight parties going to the people together. That "unity" will be undemocratic, it will be a soft dictatorship where the people are denied a genuine choice.

The Maoists on their part should have their two key demands met. The other 20 will have to wait until after the November election.

The Madhesi Kranti was more intense than the April Revolution. The November Election will be bigger than both put together.

The Madhesi Cause Is On Fire: Put Out The Fire
To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF
Goal: Federal Republic Of State Funded Parties
MJF Is For Republic, Land Reform, Dalit, Muslim, Janajati, Mahila Rights, And Small Or No Army
The MJF Must Stay Intact
The MJF Dispute: Got To Seek Middle Ground
The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party
Not UML-Maoist Unification Or Unity, But A One Point Agreement On PR Election
Baburam Bhattarai Is Right About UML-Maoist Unity
एक मात्र िमलनिवन्दु: पुर्ण समानुपाितक िनर्वाचन

Madhesi Alliance Needed
एक मधेश एक प्रदेश
मधेशी अान्दोलनको गन्तव्य: नभम्बर चुनाव
Violence Is No Solution In the Terai
ICG: Nepal's Troubled Terai Region



In The News

Prachanda seconds Bhattarai’s quit call Himalayan Times Dr Baburam Bhattarai told this daily yesterday that the party would quit the six-month-old interim government if their key demands (declaration of republic and proportional representation system of election) were not addressed before the polls.
Ban Unruly Activities of YCL: Pokhrel Pokhrel, who is also the vice-chairman of the Jana Morcha Nepal
Army can be mobilised for polls: Nepal, Sushil General Secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress vice-president Sushil Koirala today said the army could be deployed during the constituent assembly polls if all the eight parties agree to it. ..... He said the list of his party’s candidates will be announced by the end of this month and added that 33 to 40 per cent of them would comprise women. ..... Asked what if the Maoists walked out of the government, Koirala replied sarcastically, “Will the skies fall if they do so?” ...... NC Joint General Secretary Dr Ram Baran Yadav discounted the statement issued by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai as something which has been “issued by a leader who is currently out of touch with the reality.” “Kishunji is a respected leader. But he does not know what is involved. He does not seem to remember that the NC has made rapid strides following its last general convention,” Dr Yadav said.

RJP warns of negative outcomes of republic ahead of CA Kantipur Arjun Narsingh KC said that the legislative parliament doesn’t have the authority to decide about the fate of monarchy. Only the people have that right
Talks with Terai agitators must for CA polls, says Minister Pokharel the government must hold talks with the agitating armed groups in the Terai to create an environment for holding the Constituent Assembly elections on November 22. ...... “The elections cannot be held in the Terai under the prevailing circumstances,” he told reporters at a function organized by the People’s Front Nepal in Birgunj. “But the talks should not be held with those who want to thwart the elections and divide the nation.” ...... the Maoists are warning of the agitation if the coalition partners did not agree to declare a republic through the interim parliament to ensure a “meaningful” elections.
Sitaula discusses political stand-off with Maoist minister the ministers reached an agreement to take the decisions on the demands only after consensus on the cabinet and meeting of the top leaders of the eight parties. ..... the Maoists minister said that he did not see the possibility of addressing the 22-point demands as the relation between the seven parties and the Maoists was souring. He also claimed that there was no alternative to “people’s movement” if the 22-point demands are not addressed. ...... Only on Monday, Maoist Chairman Prachanda had reiterated his party's warning to quit the government by September 16 if the government does not fulfill their demands. He had also said that the seven parties were indifferent to their demand. .... The seven parties have already geared up for the “essential” elections rescheduled for November 22.
Agitating entrepreneurs shut down pharmacies too JANAKPUR, Sept 11 - As the indefinite strike called by the Janakpur Industry and Commerce Association entered the fifth day in a row, the agitating entrepreneurs have also shut down pharmacies in the town on Tuesday. ....the entrepreneurs have taken to the streets against the Maoist's 'atrocities' and the government’s apathy. ... security for the entrepreneurs and return of the lands and properties seized by the Maoists. .... The agitators have also declined a formal request made by Dhanusha Chief District Officer Ram Sharan Chimoriya to come forward for a dialogue to address their demands.
कांगे्रसको निर्ण्र्ाार माओवादी जयजयकारको भीड एक्कासी जनव्रि्रोहमा बद्लि“दा राजतन्त्र समाप्त भएका छन् । ...... मुलुकमा राजतन्त्रविरोधी लहर चलेको र राजतन्त्रका पुराना मान्यतामा व्यापक परिवर्तन आएकाले यसको उपादेयता सकिएको छ । न यो एकताको प्रतीक, जनप्रेमी र लोकतान्त्रिक हुनसकेको छ, न यसले आफ्नु अस्तित्वरक्षा गर्ने रणनीति लिनसकेको हो । जनाधार बा“की रहेको भए जनता यसको रक्षाका लागि अगाडि आइसक्थे । ....... मुलुक गणतन्त्रमय भइसकेको छ ..... कुनै दलले स्थापित गणतन्त्रात्मक लोकतन्त्रलाई 'विहारी शैली' पार्न कोसिस गर्छ भने त्यसको प्रतिकार गरिनर्ुपर्छ जसका लागि दल सक्षम छन् । अरूले गरेको निर्ण्र्ााहलुका किसिमले लिई उडाउने हो भने माओवादीका धेरै तर्क र भनाइलाई पनि त्यसै भन्न सकिन्छ । डा बाबुराम भट्टर्राईको गोरखापत्र -२३ भदौ ०६४) को लेखले गणतन्त्रका दर्ुइ स्वरूप देखाउ“छ । पहिलो हो, उहा“ले भनेजस्तो बर्ुजुवा विहारीशैलीको गणतन्त्र र अर्को माओवादीले अ“गाल्ने गणतन्त्रात्मक व्यवस्था । माओवादी बहुदलीय लोकतान्त्रिक व्यवस्थामा संल्ाग्न हुनु अरू दलसरह प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक राजनीति हो । उहा“को भिन्नै मोडेलको गणतन्त्रले उहा“हरूप्रति उठाउ“दै आएका शंका प्रमाणित गर्छ । के माओवादीले अ“गालेको गणतन्त्र र हामीले बुझ्दै आएको बहुलवादी, प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक गणतन्त्र फरक छ - बाबुराम लेख्नुहुन्छ, "कांग्रेसको नेतृत्वमा जुनखाले सामन्ती जमिनदार र ठूला तथा नोकरशाही पु“जीपति वर्गको पक्षपोषण गर्नेहरूको बर्चस्व छ, उनीहरूले ल्याउने गणतन्त्र विहारी खालको गणतन्त्रभन्दा कुनै पनि रूपमा फरक हुनेछैन भन्ने जोकसैले बुझ्न सक्छ । त्यसरी हिजो संसदीय कालमा होस् वा शाही प्रतिगमन कालमा होस्, पुराना पञ्च र दरबारियास“ग घा“टी जोडेर सत्ताको कर्ुर्सर्ीी बस्न मरिहत्ते गर्ने र विदेशी हुन्डीमा चल्ने एनजीओ र आइएनजीओमार्फ करोडौंको व्यक्तिगत सम्पत्ति जोर्न लालायित हुने एमाले नेतृत्वले चाहेको र ल्याउने गणतन्त्र पनि बङ्गालको जत्ति पनि नहुने सहज अनुमान गर्न सकिन्छ ।" .......... माओवादीका २२ सूत्रे माग पूरा नहु“दा सरकार छोड्ने वक्तव्य आइरहेछन् । त्यसमध्ये निर्वाचन अगावै गणतन्त्र घोषणा हुनर्ुपर्छ भन्ने माग प्रमुख छ । वर्तमान संसदको अधिकारक्षेत्र असीमित छ र चाहेमा यसले गणतन्त्र घोषणा गर्न सक्छ, जसरी अन्य जम्मै निर्ण्र्ाागर्दै आइरहेको छ ।

Maoists having defeatist mentality: MK Nepal NepalNews
Sitaula talks with Maoist ministers on 22-pt demands Both the sides agreed that final decision on the Maoist demands would be taken by a meeting of the eight parties or by the council of ministers.
Deuba says only technical matter remains for unification
Jwala's men murder schoolteacher in Siraha
Maoist to hold roundtable conference; prepare to walk out of govt The CPN-Maoists is gearing up to wage a protest movement after holding round table conference with the disgruntled faction of the Madeshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) including Limbu, Tamang and other ethnic organisations..... a round table conference with the MJF faction, Limbuwan and Tamsaling ethnic organisations including People’s Front Nepal, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified), Marxist Leninist (ML) on September 13 in the capital city. ..... Only the top leadership of these parties and organisations has been notified about the details of the round table conference. ....“We have made all the preparations for the movement. Now we are very close to walking out of the government.” .... no initiatives for any kind of meeting or consultation between the ruling eight parties has been taken on this issue

Sucheta Pyakurel's False Claim To Women's Rights

Chitralekha

The Madhesi are by and large a sexist people. Nepal is a sexist country. South Asia is an astoundingly sexist part of the world. America is a sexist country. Then there is a matter of degree. Nepal is much more sexist than America, South Asia is. Gender is today in South Asia where race was in the US South half a century ago.

Sucheta Pyakurel has never gone on record to make such clear statements. She might be a woman, but her political consciounsness leaves much to be desired for. She is a woman who is not too aware of women's rights.

Sucheta Pyakurel is a Bahun and she grabs that identity like there were no tomorrow. Sucheta Pyakurel is a Pahadi, and she grabs that identity like there were no tomorrow.

To the not so discerning eye, it might look like she is speaking up for women's rights below, but she is not. She is speaking Pahadi Bahun prejudice to earn kudos from prejudiced Pahadi Bahun men. Way to go, Sucheta. That is what she wants to hear. Her positions stated below are not well thought out, merely Pavlovian.

Her total hostility to the Madhesi Movement tells me she is out to deny the humanity not just of the Madhesi men but also of the Madhesi women. If she cared for the rights of the Madhesi women, she would care for their political rights also as a Madhesi, but she does not.

The Madhesi made the April Revolution possible. The April Revolution made the Madhesi Movement possible. Both will make it possible for the women and the Dalit, in the Pahad as well as the Terai, to gain rights they never had before. The Madhesi Movement is a progression to the ultimate emancipation of the Madhesi women, the Madhesi Dalits.

Or why wait? We can do it now.

I am not too excited about I have black friends so I am not racist train of thought. Let's talk policy.

I want one third of all constituencies to be reserved for women candidates, and two thirds of those for the Dalit, Madhesi and Janajati women. Either Sucheta Pyakurel is for this proposal or she is against it. If she is for it, either she will campaign for it, or she will not. If she will campaign for it, she will not hesitate to start with the Pahadi Bahuns in her immediate social circles. Will she do that? Will she not? I want to know.

This play of words on her part does not fool me. Why? Because I have no intention whatsoever to defend the sexism in the Madhesh. Also because I can tell the clear difference between someone fighting for women's rights, and someone merely expressing Pahadi Bahun prejudice. And also because I have clear, well thought out policy prescriptions for women's rights in the Nepali context.

• (II)The Second Pillar : Sexual Equality
• The Laws That Push The Women Down
• The Political Battles

Sucheta Pyakurel is no different from racist white women. It makes no sense to cut corners to racist white women just because we live in a sexist world. When a racist white woman is being racist, she is being racist. She is not fighting for women's rights, either her own, or that of the women in the "Third World."

Preeti Koirala And Mainstream Pahadi Prejudice
Proportional Representation Might Work With DaMaJa Reservations
Madhesi Movement Invites The Dalit, The Janajati, The Mahila

----- Original Message -----
From: Ram Sah
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:35 PM
Subject: Re: [ND] Re: On regional autonomy and New Nepal

Dear Sucheta Ji:

I am amazed to see how some of us have adopted clever ways of avoiding a question by raising more questions that may or may not related to real issue. Is it not the game (internal inequities, Hindu-Muslim, or even indentured servitude within India) British were playing to Justify their colonization of India? Is it not the same game Apartied South Africa was using to justify their existence of power? Let me play the game your way:

1.After looking at the two videos I posted do you think that women in Nepal (compared to men) are treated by the police/government the same way Madheshi were treated in Nepalganj?

2. Let me take one more step: In a hypothetical men vs. women conflict in Nepal, in your view, would police/government allow men to protect other men and burn women?

3. A colonized society removes the colonizers. For example India and USA removed British colonial power to regain their sovereignty. Should the current power holders of Nepal who migrated from India less than two hundred years ago and colonized Madhesh and Pahad be removed from Nepal?. If Madheshi can not make the power holders/colonizers think fairly should they not think of removing them (Please do understand that this only theoretical question, I do not want disintegration of Nepal).

With best regards,
Ram Sah

----- Original Message -----
From: Sucheta Pyakuryal
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 8:09 AM
Subject: [ND] Re: On regional autonomy and New Nepal

Ram Sahji,

Namaste,

Of course Dr. Bohara will answer you, but your second question caught my eye. I have at least a dozen of counter questions for your second question so please bear with me, I apologize in advance if I sound too quizzical.

So, if I were to ask you as a female: why should women live with/amongst men when they have been oppressed, denied basic rights, burnt alive, burnt with acid, beaten and battered, given a lower socio-economic and political status, what would you say? Do we really have a choice of who we are to live with, especially in today's world? Why do dalits take the age-old baseless religio-cultural subjugation, what do we call that..a paternalistic-colonization or religious colonization? After the Indian partition, did Pakistan become this utopia for equality and of muslium-brotherhood? and what about Bangladesh, why is violent bandhs, hartals and killings still rife in "golden Bangladesh"? So what proof do we have that terai would be better off if it disintegrates?( or as you put it, "choose not to live' with pahades. )

Lets look at the flip-side of this issue across the border, the Nepalese are called "bahadurs", "Mathoo", "chinky" and "gurkha", isn't this discrimination?...so are Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dehradoon, Mussoorie colonies of the Indian gvernment too?( Unlike Nepal, India has been trudging alone the path of democracy for more than half a century now.)

AND about retribution: would you as a male hindu ( I am assuming you are, pardon me if you are not) be ready to profoundly apologize to women and dalits of your community for "colonizing" them and "subjugating" them for time eternal? what will be the nature of your penitence?

Sahji, as a woman who would want to assert her right(s), I would immediately be termed 'shrill" if I were to talk about retributions and repentance, but here I see majority of the members are taking your assertions quite well... What if I were to say that comparatively, you as a madhesi have more leeway of asserting your right than me as a woman?

AND a final question to you :SO are we for procedural justice or substantive justice?

Forgive me for my rather "loud" piece here, tried hard to hold back but failed....my apologies !!

Regards, :-)

Sucheta

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Chitralekha

Sahana Pradhan, Sarita Giri, Chitra Lekha Yadav, Pratibha Rana
Interim Speaker: Chitra Lekha Yadav
Chitralekha Yadav: Speaker

In The News

Yadav elected Dy Speaker
Gorkhapatra, Nepal - Jan 25, 2007
25: The Interim Legislature-Parliament (ILP) Thursday unanimously elected Chitra Lekha Yadav of Nepali Congress (Democratic) as Deputy Speaker of the ILP. ...

Ministers, MPs to petition to the PM to fulfill Terai demands Nepalnews.com, Nepal - Jan 28, 2007 The signatories including deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav and MPs Bharat Bimal Yadav, Matrika Prasad Yadav and Bijaya Gachhadar have asked the PM to take ...

Nepalnews.com

Nemwang, Yadav to remain Speaker, Dy Speaker; Maoists to get ... Nepalnews.com, Nepal - Jan 17, 2007 The eight parties have agreed to retain Subash Chandra Nemwang and Chitra Lekha Yadav as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Interim Parliament. ...

Nona no more, irreparable loss to nation Gorkhapatra, Nepal - Jan 28, 2007 Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav commented that late Koirala was a lady who had carried weapons meant for establishing democracy by tying them around her ...

Nepalnews.com

Second meeting of Interim Parliament begins; Nemwang elected Speaker Nepalnews.com, Nepal - Jan 17, 2007 Earlier today, the eight parties had agreed to continue Nemwang and Chitra Lekha Yadav as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Interim Parliament. ...

Nemwang unanimously elected Speaker Commitment expressed to work ... Gorkhapatra, Nepal - Jan 17, 2007 The Maoist also proposed Ms. Chitra Lekha Yadav for Deputy Speaker. The process of appointment could not be completed as she is out of the country. ...

It’s all about Maoist ‘Eves’ in new assembly Daily News & Analysis, India - Jan 17, 2007 Taking many analysts by surprise, he also proposed that the former Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav, who represents the minority Madhesi community from the ...

Major Conflicts in South Asia PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal - Jan 22, 2007 ... (CPN-UML) and Chitra Lekha Yadav of the Nepali Congress - Democratic (NC-D) as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, of the Interim Parliament. ...

India in loop as Maoists keen to change country's foreign policy DailyIndia.com, FL - Jan 18, 2007 Keen to replace the incumbent Speaker of the Parliament Subhash Nembang and his deputy Chitra Lekha Yadav, Prachanda has had to accept the status-quo, ...

Eights parties 'agree' to share 48 parliamentary seats
Nepalnews.com, Nepal - Jan 10, 2007
At the meeting, UML general secretary Nepal proposed for continuation of Subash Nemwang and Chitra Lekha Yadav as the speaker and deputy speaker of the ...

सरिता गिरी: अशान्त मधेस, नया नेपाल

अशान्त मधेस, नया नेपाल

सरिता गिरी

बाइस बु“दे शान्ति सम्झौता र अन्तरिम संविधानबारे भएको आठ दलको सहमतिपछि मधेसमा द्वन्द्वले तीव्र रूप धारण गर्‍यो । संघीय शासन व्यवस्था र समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धतिका लागि जारी मधेसी आन्दोलनले सम्पर्ूण्ा शान्ति प्रक्रियालाई प्रश्नहरूको कठघरामा उभ्याइदिइएको छ । आजका घटना अप्रत्याशित होइनन् । यो अपारदर्शी र असमावेशी शान्तिवार्ताको परिणाम हो । यसको वीउ त्यस दिन हालियो, जुन दिन चार प्रमुख दल नेपाली कांग्रेस, नेपाली कांग्रेस -प्रजातान्त्रिक), नेकपा -एमाले) र नेकपा -माओवादी) को मात्र वार्ताटोली गठन गरियो । वार्ताटोलीले परम्परागत शासकीय समुदायको प्रतिनिधित्व गरेको देखियो । संघीय राज्यव्यवस्था र समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धतिका लागि आन्दोलित मधेसको आकांक्षा प्रमुख दलले बुझेनन् वा बेवास्ता गरे ।

वार्ताटोलीका चारै पार्टर्ीीरम्परागत एकात्मक राज्यव्यवस्थाको ठाउ“मा संघात्मक राज्यव्यवस्थाका पक्षधर होइनन् । हुन त कांग्रेस प्रजातान्त्रिकले आफ्नो दस्तावेजमा संघात्मक शासन व्यवस्थाको नीति अख्तियार गरेको छ, तर धेरैले त्यसलाई गम्भीरतासाथ लिएका छैनन् । दुवै कांग्रेस विलय होउन्जेलसम्मका लागि कांग्रेस -प्रजातान्त्रिक) ले यस्ता नीति अख्तियार गरेको हुनसक्छ । एमाले सुरुदेखि नै संघात्मक शासन व्यवस्थाको विरोधी रहेको छ । उसको जोड विकेन्द्रीकरणमा छ । माओवादी संघात्मक प्रतिबद्धताबारे पनि प्रश्नचिह्न छन् । जातीय स्वायत्तता, आत्मनिर्ण्र्ााो अधिकार र संघात्मक शासन व्यवस्था सम्बन्धमा माओवादीले एकैचोटी कुरा राखेको छ । तर वास्तवमा उसले कस्तो खालको शासन व्यवस्था चाहेको हो, स्पष्टता छैन । जहा“सम्म नेपाली कांग्रेसको प्रश्न छ, उसको जोड पनि अहिलेसम्म विकेन्द्रीकरणमा नै छ । त्यसैले २२ बु“दे सम्झौता र अन्तरिम संविधान संघीय शासन व्यवस्थाबारे मौन रहेको छ ।

भनिन्छ, युद्ध भड्काउनेहरू शान्तिको सहज र स्वाभाविक निर्माता हुन सक्दैनन् । नेपालको सर्न्दर्भमा यो सत्य हो । वार्तामा सहभागी प्रमुख दल विगतमा द्वन्द्वका मुख्य र्सजक थिए । तिनले द्वन्द्वको मुख्य कारण पहिचान गर्न सकेनन् । विगतको द्वन्द्वको मुख्य कारण सामन्तवादमाथि आधारित केन्द्रीकृत र असहभागितामूलक राज्यव्यवस्था हो । निरंकुश राजतन्त्र त्यस व्यवस्थाको एउटा अंगमात्र हो । ती चार दलले राजालाई लोकतन्त्रको समस्या ठाने । उनीहरू त्रुटिपर्ूण्ा राज्यव्यवस्थ्ााप्रति कहिल्यै गम्भीर भएनन् । त्यसैले ०४६ को परिवर्तनले परम्परागत शासन व्यवस्थामा कुनै तात्विक परिवर्तन ल्याउन सकेन । बरु प्रजातान्त्रिक निर्वाचनले परम्परागत केन्द्रीकृत राज्यव्यवस्थालाई वैधानिक रूप दियो । त्यसैले विगतको वैध तर विभेदकारी व्यवस्थालाई ध्वस्त तुल्याउन १५ हजार नेपालीले ज्यान गुमाउनुपर्‍यो । तर त्यो सहादत पनि नया“ नेपाल निर्माणनिम्ति पर्याप्त रहेनछ । अहिले मधेसमा नया“ नेपाल निर्माणका लागि रगत बगिरहेछ । नौजना निर्दोष मधेसीले सहादत प्राप्त गरिसकेका छन् । सयौं घाइते छन् ।

केन्द्रीकृत राज्य र विभेदकारी सामाजिक व्यवस्थाले सबभन्दा बढी मधेस र मधेसीलाई आहत तुल्याएको छ । सामाजिक, आर्थिक, भौगोलिक र सांस्कृतिक रूपमा सम्पदाका दृष्टिकोणले मधेस सम्पन्न भए पनि मधेसी जनता जहिले पनि शासकीय थिचोमिचोबाट पीडित रहे । मधेसको भूमि उर्वर नभइदिएको भए मधेसी नेपालबाट विलिन भइसक्थे होलान् । १९५० पछि मधेसीलाई शोषण र हतोत्साहित गर्न नागरिकता र भूमि समस्या जन्माइयो । मधेसीलाई नीति निर्माणबाट टाढा पन्छाइयो । उनीहरूलाई जहिले पनि शंका र अविश्वासको दृष्टिकोणबाट मात्र हेरियो । मधेसी स्वाभिमानमाथि जहिले पनि प्रहार गरियो । आज मधेसीमा देखिएको उन्माद र आक्रोश त्यसैको परिणाम हो । संर्घष्ा गरेर आफ्नो गौरवमयी इतिहास निर्माण गर्नुबाहेक मधेसीस“ग कुनै विकल्प छैन ।

संघीय समावेशी शासन व्यवस्थाको स्थापना मधेसी आन्दोलनको लक्ष्य रहेको छ । संविधानसभाद्वारा राज्यको पुनःसंरचना गर्ने राष्ट्रिय सहमतिलाई मधेसी समुदायले स्वागत गरे । तर २२ बु“दे सहमति र अन्तरिम संविधानले एकात्मक शासन व्यवस्थाको ठाउ“मा संघात्मक शासन व्यवस्था ल्याउने प्रतिबद्धता जाहेर गर्न सकेन । त्यसमाथि संविधानसभाका लागि मिश्रति निर्वाचन पद्धति चयनले परिस्थितिलाई जटिल तुल्यायो । धेरैले अनुमान लगाए, मिश्रति निर्वाचन पद्धति परिणामले अघोषित रूपमा एकात्मक राज्यव्यवस्थालाई नै निरन्तरता दिनेछ । सामान्य मधेसीले पनि बुझे, समावेशीको नाममा मधेसी लगायत अन्य सिमान्तीकृत समुदायबाट नया“ अभिजात्य वर्ग जन्मिन सक्छ । तर त्यसले राज्यको रूपान्तरण भई सामान्य जनता राजनीतिक रूपमा शक्तिशाली हु“दैनन् । आजको मधेस आन्दोलन त्यस्तै सम्भावनाविरुद्ध छ । राज्य पुनःसंरचनाका लागि तर्राई आन्दोलनको सफलता कोशेढुंगा सावित हुनेछ ।

मधेसलाई दृष्टिगत गरी नागरिकता विधेयक पारित गर्न पनि प्रमुख दलले राजनीति गरे । संविधानसभाका लागि समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धति चयनको सम्भावना रहुन्जेल नागरिकता विधेयक पारित गरिएन । प्रमुख पार्टर्ीीई थाहा थियो, समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धतिको चयन भइदिइएको भए, चालीस लाख नागरिकता बा“डेको भए मुलुकको राजनीतिक समीकरणमा आमूल परिवर्तन हुन्थ्यो । मधेसीले बराबरीको आधारमा आफ्नो राजनीतिक अधिकार पाइहाल्थ्यो । तर्सथ संविधानसभाका लागि मिश्रति पद्धतिबारे निर्ण्र्ााभएको दोस्रो दिनमात्र नागरिकता विधेयक पारित भयो । मिश्रति निर्वाचन पद्धतिको परिणामस्वरूप चालीस लाख मधेसीले नागरिकता पाए पनि मधेस विगतजस्तै उपनिवेश रही नै रहनेछ ।

मधेस समस्याको समाधान जनसंख्याको आधारमा चुनावी क्षेत्रको निर्धारण होइन । जनसंख्याको आधारमा चुनावी क्षेत्र निर्धारण ०४७ को संविधानको सर्न्दर्भमा उठेको हो । अहिले त्यसको सान्दर्भिकता छैन । आजको आवश्यकता समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धति नै हो । मिश्रति निर्वाचन पद्धतिको औचित्य संविधान बनिसकेपछि संसदीय निर्वाचनका लागि हुनसक्छ । यस मुलुकलाई हिंसाको राजनीति र विखण्डनबाट जोगाउन समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धति र संघीय लोकतन्त्रमात्र कारगर हुनसक्छ । माओवादी हिंसात्मक व्रि्रोहले पुरानो नेपाललाई समाप्त पार्न प्रमुख भूमिका निर्वाह गरेको हो । नया“ लोकतान्त्रिक संघात्मक नेपाल निर्माणका लागि मधेसको शान्तिपर्ूण्ा आन्दोलनले नै मुख्य भूमिका निर्वाह गर्नेछ ।

-लेखक, नेपाल सद्भावना पार्टर्ीीआनन्दीदेवी) की केन्द्रीय सदस्य हुन् ।)

In The News

8-parties reach understanding to resolve Terai unrest; PM to address nation on Wednesday NepalNews "The eight parties have agreed to embrace federal democratic system through the CA; adopt mixed electoral system – fifty percent in the existing First-Past-The-Post system and fifty percent in the proportional representation system; and also to undertake fresh delimitation of existing constituencies based on latest census," said Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula. The total number of 205 constituencies will remain the same but they will be redistributed based on increase of population in certain regions. ..... the Prime Minister will address the nation on Wednesday morning (around 9 to 10 am) by including all these agreements aimed at resolving the ongoing unrest in Terai. ..... the eight parties have concluded that conspirators had engaged in violence in Terai unrest and vowed to take action against them. ..... Bharat Mohan Adhikary ... "I want to tell all the people of Terai, indigenous community and Dalits that the eight parties have agreed to embrace federal democratic system," said Adhikary.

Curfew Clamped in Chandranigahpur After Clashes Himalayan Times
8-Party Leaders Meet at Baluwatar
WFP Appeals for Safe Passage of Food Aid in Terai
One Killed in Biratnagar Protest; Curfew Clamped in Gaur
Eight-hour Curfew Imposed in Kalaiya
Panel Releases Nepalgunj Riot Report A total of 211 houses and shops were damaged and property worth over Rs 78 million was destroyed and one person was killed and 26 injured in the December 25-26, 2006 Nepalgunj violence .... declare Kamal Giri, who was killed in police firing during the violence, a martyr. ..... provide Rs 10 lakh to Giri's family as compensation. ..... suggested that the eight political parties address the demands of the Madhesi people at the earliest, the panel has asked the government to bring to book those responsible for the Nepalgunj incident.

Eight-party leaders meet at Baluwatar; PM not to address the nation today NepalNews Krishna Prasad Sitaula (Nepali Congress), Ishwor Pokhrel (CPN-UML), Dr Baburam Bhattarai (CPN-Maoist), Bimalendra Nidhi (NC-Democratic), Rajendra Mahato (Nepal Sadbhawana Party-Aandi Devi), Sunil Prajapati (Nepal Workers and Peasants Party) and Ganesh Shah of the Left front ...... differences surfacing within the taskforce regarding key demands of protesting Madhesi groups – proportional representation in the upcoming constituent assembly election on the basis of population and the federal structure of the country. ...... the PM will address the nation either tomorrow or the day-after after the eight parties reach a 'concrete' agreement.
India ‘concerned’ about Terai unrest; steps up security in bordering areas Mukherjee on his part said Nepal should resolve the crisis by addressing the just demands of the protesting Terai groups
One protester killed in Biratnagar; curfew imposed Raj Kumar Kamat, 33, who was shot and injured during a demonstration in Bhittiamode area died on the way to Koshi Zonal Hospital. ..... Seven others were injured in the incident. ..... local administration clamped indefinite curfew in Biratnagar from 1.30 pm. .. death toll in eastern Terai districts reached 8
Eight-party taskforce discussing draft report differed on the demands of Madhesi people for a federal state and delimitation of election constituencies for the CA elections based on proportional electoral system, among others. ..... consensus has already been reached on the proposal for a federal structure of the state while debate is underway regarding the electoral procedures. ..... Based on the draft resolution prepared by the taskforce, the high-level meeting of the SPA and the Maoists will take significant decisions regarding federal structure of the state and electoral procedures later today. ...... Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is scheduled to deliver a key address to the nation
Former Minister Ansari, DDC chairman arrested
Journalists come under heightened risk in restive Terai districts A group of protesters manhandled Kamal Rimal, a local reporter, last evening while a second journalist, Bikram Luintel, was attacked when he was covering the protests in Biratnagar today.
Thapa, Mandal arrested for 'instigating' violence in Terai; other royalists under watch
Property worth 78 million rupees destroyed in Nepalgunj violence: Civil Investigation Report

Rayamajhi report will be implemented before forming interim government, says Shrestha

More seats for Nepal ethnic group Aljazeera.net, Qatar Krishna Prasad Sitaula said on Monday: "We plan to redraw the seats according to the population in the Terai and the Kathmandu Valley, where population density is higher. ...... "The representation will increase from Madhesh [Terai] and Kathmandu." ..... More than 100 people were wounded in the unrest over the last two weeks
Nepal king's men arrested as Terai toll rises India eNews.com
INTERVIEW - Nepal to give more seats to ethnic Madhesis Reuters India
Renewed violence leaves one dead in south-east Nepal Monsters and Critics.com, UK
Curfew imposed in southern Nepal Kalaiya PeaceJournalism.com
One killed, several injured in Nepal fresh clashes Hindu, India
Former Nepal ministers arrested BBC News
Nepal's royalists accused of stirring ethnic unrest France24, France
Deja Voodoo In 'New' Nepal NewsBlaze the Maoists' continuing contempt for the escalating Madhesi movement. .... The Nepali Congress, Unified Marxist-Leninists and the motley parliamentary crew had displayed similar disdain for the early People Warriors. A band of misguided thugs backed by royalists struggling to ward off irrelevance, according to the mainstream view, was bent on subverting Nepalis' hard-won democracy. ....... Maoist chairman Prachanda sounds pretty much like Khum Bahadur Khadka. The Maoists would be tamed in a week, the powerful Nepali Congress home minister had thundered after the first shots were fired in 1996. ....... wants the Maoists and the military to face war crime trials ....... From Operation Romeo to Kilo Sierra 2 to full military deployment under a state of emergency, every mainstream political party has blood on its hands. ....... bothered in private by the royal silence. Deep depression, Internet gambling, spiritual introspection - what could it be? ...... Crown Prince Paras has started making headlines for hosting a sober birthday party. ..... The king is trying to buy off top Maoist leaders and media organizations, according to Pampha Bhusal. ...... Girija Prasad Koirala, who has been at the center of the creation of all successor statutes in one way or the other, is likely to oversee the adoption of the country's seventh basic law. He, more than any other Nepali, is Mao Zedong's quintessential permanent revolutionary. ........ Koirala's own health is failing and ancient grievances are dictating the march ahead.
Nepal National Unity Or Disintegration Scoop.co.nz (press release)
Nepal Prime Minister to address the nation on Terai crisis DailyIndia.com, FL
Nepal Himali indigen demands representation in interim legislature PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal The Himali Indigenous Nationalities Coordination Council (HINCC) warned that the people of Karnali would disrupt air service and ban tourism activities if the government failed to meet their demands by February 27 ...The HINCC demanded that the election constituencies should be allocated on the basis of geography and the interim legislature and the constituent assembly should provide 17.5 percent seats to the rural and mountainous region. ..... 52 representatives from the Karnali, rural and mountainous region should get representation in the interim legislature, to appoint one representative each from the indigenous organizations affiliated to the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, to declare public holiday on local festival, to prioritize the rural and mountainous region on foreign employment ...... HINCC president Krispasur Sherpa said, "We are planning to serve one month ultimatum to the government to meet our demands." He added that if the demands were not met on time, they would launch strong protest programs. ... the indifference of the government towards the development of backward region.
Nepal: ICJ urges Nepal to ratify convention against enforced ... PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances and passing enabling laws giving effect domestically to the provisions of the Convention. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20 December 2006. ..... Between May 2000 and 13 January 2007, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal received 2028 cases of disappearance. The whereabouts of people involved in 645 of these cases remains unknown. ...... 49 individuals had disappeared at Maharajgunj Royal Nepal Army Barrack between 2003 and 2004. ..... the failure to hold accountable even a single perpetrator, perpetuates the culture of impunity in Nepal and could lead to future gross human rights violations. ...... a prohibition on secret detentions; a requirement that people be detained only in officially recognized and supervised facilities that maintain records of all detainees; a requirement that the State ensure that all detainees are able to challenge in court the legality of their detention (habeas corpus) and the right to obtain information on detainees. ...... widespread and systematic practices of enforced disappearance.
More seats for Nepal ethnic group MWC News, Canada
India, Nepal agree on law and order maintenance during polls Zee News, India
Nepal Govt crackdown on King loyalists as Terai simmers Hindu, India
India directs state govts to increase security along Indo-Nepal border Kantipur Online, Nepal
Madhav Nepal apprises Pranab Mukherjee of current situation in Nepal DailyIndia.com, FL
Top eight-party leaders discuss Terai unrest Kantipur Online, Nepal the task force of the eight parties failed to reach a common agreement on issues like the proportional representation election system for the Constituent Assembly polls, one of the key demands of the Madhesi people, while the issue of a federal structure of governance was agreed on in principle. ....... The bloody protests flared up suddenly after a Maoist cadre shot dead an MPRF activist in Lahan on January 19. ....... the increasing unrest in the southeastern region has damaged government buildings, party offices of the ruling seven parties and Maoists, media houses and houses of the seven-party leaders have been either vandalized or set on fire. ...... The authorities arrested former home minister of the royal cabinet Kamal Thapa, his ministerial colleague Badri Prasad Mandal and Salim Miya Ansari late Monday accusing them of stirring up communal violence in the region.

Task force asks eight party leaders to reach consensus on Madhesi demands Kantipur CPN-UML was in favour of the proposed proportionate electoral system ..... "We are in favour of the proportionate electoral system," Nepal said, adding "The issue of reconfiguring the election constituencies based on geographic consideration has also come up and we must move ahead with common understanding in this regards." ....... Left front leader CP Mainali said that today's discussion must address the poll procedure issues adding that the election constituencies must be reconfigured based on the demographics and population. ..... protests launched by little-known Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) flared up suddenly after a Maoist cadre heading for Chitwan from eastern Nepal shot dead an MPRF activist in Lahan on January 19. .... The demands of the Madhesis are gaining increasing support from various walks of life, including from the ruling alliance lawmakers and ministers. ..... Altogether 53 madhesi lawmakers in the Interim Legislature and four ministers on Sunday handed over a memorandum to the Prime Minister, urging him to address the two essential demands put forward by the Madhesi people. ...... PM will address the nation after the leaders of the eight parties come to an agreement as to how to address the recent unrest ...... The high-level meeting of the eight party leaders later today is likely to take significant decisions regarding federal setup and electoral procedures, a few of the demands among others put forward by the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum.
Kantipur correspondent receives death threat from MPRF
PM Koirala's address on Terai unrest postponed the task force could not decide on the issue of a proportional representation election system for the June polls, which is another major demand put forward by the Madhesi community.
Biratnagar protest turns violent, one killed; indefinite curfew clamped
Former minister Ansari arrested
Maoists to shun private property In a drive to create a communist 'commune', the CPN-Maoist has initiated collecting details of individual property of its leaders and cadres to transfer them in the name of the party. ... the Maoists always fought against the concept of retaining private property. ..... "The Kandel-committee had begun collecting details of individual property of all leaders and cadres. ........ Maoist leaders and cadres shouldn't claim individual property and they are not supposed to have their individual expectations besides the party. "They must accept what the party decides for them ....... formulate necessary rules and regulations to keep the party and its cadres well-disciplined. ...... "We will first begin from the central leaders and will gradually go down to the local levels ...... The party has ruled that its lawmakers can't possess the money, received under the Parliamentary Act related to facilities and perks to parliamentarians. The party has taken responsibility of managing the expenses of its lawmakers.
Indian help sought to resolve terai impasse Nepali Congress General Secretary Ram Chandra Poudel ..... he is supposed to meet leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and Raj Nath Singh.
TU exams postponed
Kamal Thapa, Mandal arrested
Extra flights fail to rescue stranded passengers Most airline operators say they are unable to cope with the current soaring demand. Despite assigning additional flights to the eastern region, thousands of passengers remain stranded in the eastern cities of Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, and Janakpur. .... Buddha Air is charging Rs 6,500 for a ticket from Biratnagar to Kathamndu against the normal fare of Rs 4,010 on additional flights. Yeti Airlines has raised fares by Rs 400 on the route.
Terai unrest worsens petrol shortage Shortage of petroleum products has hit the eastern and central region including Kathmandu Valley, as the protracted Terai unrest affected the transportation of fuel. ..... “The stock at Amlekhgunj depot is rapidly approaching zero level, particularly in the case of petrol” ...... The supply of petrol made on the day, however, was just half the normal daily demand. Overall supply of petroleum products was also just one-fourth of the normal daily consumption. ....... As severe fuel crisis looms in the Valley, the eastern region of the country is already suffering from severe fuel crisis, as stocks at Biratnagar and Janakpur depots of NOC have dried out. ...... “Since people are more concerned over the ongoing stir in Terai, they have not reacted to the fuel shortage. But, panic will hit as soon as the stir ends” ....... if bandas and tension in Terai continues for the next few days, the much-replenished stock at Thankot depot will also not help ...... Supply situation of petroleum products in western regions of the country are normal. According to officials, NOC has maintained supplies in Pokhara, Butwal and other western cities through Bhairahawa depot. ...... Likewise, mid-western and far-western regions are also getting enough supply of oil, as the stir has not affected those regions
Eight-party meet Tuesday to tackle Terai unrest
मन्त्री त्रिपाठीद्वारा राजीनामा
संघीय राज्यको सहमति मधेसी, आदिवासी जनजातिले उठाएका माग सम्बोधन गर्न संघीय राज्य तथा जनसंख्या र भूगोलका आधारमा निर्वाचन प्रणालीमा जाने विषयमा आठ दल सहमत भएका छन् । संघीय राज्य र समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणाली माग जायज भएको ठहर गर्दै त्यसलाई संयोजन गरेर अघि बढ्ने सहमति भएको हो । संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनका लागि मतदाता नामावली र नागरिकता वितरण कार्य पहिलो प्रक्रिया भएकाले त्यसलाई बिथोल्न दरबारियाहरूले अराजकता मच्चाएको धारणा आठ दलको छ ।
थापा र मण्डल पक्राउ
'षड्यन्त्रकारीलाई सरकारले कारबाही गर्छ'
मधेसका जायज माग पूरा गर्न आग्रह नेकपा -एमाले) र कांग्रेस -प्रजातान्त्रिक) ले तर्राईका जायज माग पूरा गर्न सरकारलाई छुट्टाछुट्टै आग्रह गरेका छन् । यसै गरी विभिन्न भातृ संगठनले पनि माग पुरा गर्न अपिल गरेका छन् । मधेसीले उठाएका समानुपातिक चुनाव प्रणाली र संघात्मक राज्यसंरचनाको माग जायज भएको ठहर गर्दै उनीहरूका मागलाई सम्बोधन गर्न आग्रह गरेको हो । एमालेले तर्राईवासीलाई आफ्ना माग अघि सार्दा संविधानसभा चुनावको मूल लक्ष्यलाई केन्द्रबिन्दुमा राखी शान्तिपर्ूण्ा ढंगले विरोध पर््रदर्शन गर्नसमेत आग्रह गरेको छ । लोकतान्त्रिक शक्तिबाट हिंसात्मक घटना हुन नसक्ने ..... जनआन्दोलनका अपराधीमाथि कारबाही नभएकाले प्रतिगामी तत्त्व संविधानसभा निर्वाचन बिथोल्न लागिपरेको ठहर गर्दै रायमाझी आयोगको प्रतिवेदन चा“डो र्सार्वजनिक गरी दोषीलाई कारबाहीको माग गरेको छ । ....... कांग्रेस -प्रजातान्त्रिक) केन्द्रीय कार्यसमितिको सोमबारको बैठकले मधेसी समुदायसित तत्काल वार्ता गर्न सरकारलाई आग्रह गरेको हो । बैठकले संविधानसभा सुनिश्चित गर्न सरकारले संघीय अवधारणाअनुरूप राज्यको पुनर्ःसरचनाको प्रतिबद्धता र जनसंख्या र भौगोलिक अनुकूलताका आधारमा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र निर्धारण गर्नुपर्ने निर्ण्र्ाागरेको छ । ....... बैठकपछि महामन्त्री विमलेन्द्र निधिद्वारा जारी विज्ञप्तिअनुसार बैठकले राष्ट्रिय संकल्प पूरा गर्ने संविधानसभा चुनावमा कुनै पनि पहिचानमा आबद्ध नेपाली विमुख नहुने वातावरण सुनिश्चित गर्न सरकारले ती माग पूरा गर्नुपर्ने निर्ण्र्ाागरेको छ । ...... माओवादीको भ्रातृ संगठन मधेसी राष्ट्रिय मुक्ति मोर्चाले समान जनसंख्याका आधारमा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र, जातीय आत्मनिर्ण्र्ााो अधिकार, स्वशासन, समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व र संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रको घोषणा गर्न माग गरेको छ । ....... १९ दिने जनआन्दोलनको बलमा सिर्जित वर्तमान अवस्थामा पनि मधेसी जनताको आवाजलाई सम्बोधन गर्न नसक्नु विडम्बनापर्ुण्ा र दर्ुभाग्यपर्ूण्ा सावित भएको ....... माग पूरा नभए समझदारी र सम्झौताको नाममा मोर्चा मूकदर्शक भएर नबस्ने र सशक्त आन्दोलन गर्न बाध्य हुन ....... थारू विद्यार्थी समाजको पहिलो केन्द्रीय बैठकले तर्राईको आन्दोलन सान्दर्भिक र जायज रहेको उल्लेख गर्दै आन्दोलन शान्तिपर्ूण्ा रूपमा निरन्तर अगाडि बढाउन आह्वान गरेको छ । ........ मधेसी कानुन व्यवसायीहरूले शान्तिपर्ूण्ा आन्दोलनलाई सरकार र केही सञ्चारमाध्यमले 'तर्राईमा फैलिएको दंगा र साम्प्रदायिकता' भन्नु आफैंमा खेदजनक रहेको जनाएको छ । ........ मधेसको आन्दोलनलाई अन्तरिम संविधानले जनजाति, आदिवासी, दलित र मधेसी समुदायको समस्यालाई संवैधानिक रूपमा सम्बोधन गर्न नसकेपछिको स्वाभाविक परिणति रहेको ........ तामाङ स्वायत्त गणतान्त्रिक मञ्च र मैथिल महासंघले मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमले आह्वान गरेको आन्दोलनप्रति ऐक्यबद्घता जनाउ“दै सहकार्य गर्दै आन्दोलन अघि बढाउने निर्ण्र्ाागरेको छ । ........ मधेसी इन्जिनियरहरूले मधेसलाई राजनीतिक शक्तिहरूले बेवास्ता गरेपछि मधेसीहरूसामु संर्घष्ाको विकल्प नरहेको जनाएको छ । यस्तै नेपाल बुद्धिजीवी परिषद्ले मधेसको जायज सरोकार र मागप्रति ऐक्यबद्धता प्रकट गर्दै सरकार र आठ राजनीतिक दललाई माग पूरा गर्न अपिल गरेको छ । ...... रामराजाप्रसाद सिंहले माओवादी क्रान्तिद्वारा मधेसीले देख्ने नया“ भविष्य ठप्प भएपछि व्रि्रोहस्वरूप समानता प्राप्तिका लागि तर्राईमा आन्दोलन भएको बताएका छन् । ....... राजधानीमा मंगलबार पत्रकार सम्मेलन गरी उनले नेपाल नया“ युगमा प्रवेश गर्न मधेसी र पहाडका जनजातिको गठबन्धन आवश्यक भएको बताए । मधेस आन्दोलन माओवादीले सम्झौता गरेपछिको निराशाको परिचायक रहेको दाबीसमेत उनको थियो । आफूले माओवादी आन्दोलनलाई क्रान्ति भन्ने गरेको उल्लेख गर्दै उनले भने- 'क्रान्ति सम्झौतामा गएर टुंगिएपछि निराशा हुन्छ, मलाई ७२ वर्षो उमेरमा समेत भएको छ भने त्यहा“ -तर्राई) का युवामा हुनु त स्वाभाविकै हो ।'
अशान्त मधेस, नया“ नेपाल
निर्वाचनका लागि सम्झौता गरेका हौं