Koirala pledges federal Nepal

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday promised that Nepal will adopt a federal set-up after two weeks of protests led by the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum demanding greater representation for Terai areas in Parliament. Koirala said the eight parties in government have agreed to restructure the state within a federal framework. The existing 205 constituencies will be freshly delimited on the basis of population and greography, he said.

Koirala, however, did not invite the Madheshi leadership for talks, but issued a general appeal “to sort out problems through peaceful negotiation.” In another rebuff to the agitating group, Koirala said he has instructed Home Minister K P Sitaula to initiate the dialogue. The Madheshi forum is demanding Sitaula’s resignation, while the Maoists are backing him, insisting the forum does not deserve recognition.

“This is an insult to the people of Terai. Koirala even refused to recognise that eight people have attained martyrdom and there was no regret expressed,” the Forum said in its first reaction.

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In his address, Koirala appealed for peace and committed dialogue. “The basic aim of the people’s movement was to formulate a new constitution through the constituent assembly. I, therefore, would like to appeal to one and all to create a peaceful environment and opt for talks to resolve the problems in order to conduct free and fair elections.”

Meanwhile, the east joined in the chorus for autonomy with the Limbuwan Liberation Front, a group representing the Limbu community mainly living in the eastern and northern parts of Nepal, calling for a three-day general strike beginning Thursday.