Stakeholders Emphasize Strong Federalism for National Strength

Kathmandu. Stakeholders have stated that the country will be strong only if federalism is strong. This was stated by stakeholders participating in the discussion on 'Federalism in Constitutional Amendment: The Issue of Provincial Structure' organized by the Federalism and Localization Center (FLC) on Sunday.

In the program, RSP MP Mohanlal Acharya, who is also a member of the constitutional amendment draft task force formed by the government, said that a draft of the amendment will be prepared after discussing the issues that need to be amended down to the grassroots level.

He suggested that the number of provincial assembly members, the number of ministries could be reduced and the electoral system could be considered, adding that a umbrella commission could be formed by connecting some constitutional commissions.

In the program, CPN leader and task force member Devprasad Gurung said that although the constitution needs to be reformed according to the times, national consensus is necessary on what issues to amend.

'It is not easy to amend the constitution without national consensus. The fundamental aspects of the constitution cannot be tampered with,' Gurung said. Nepali Congress leader and constitutional expert Radheshyam Adhikari said that federalism is not just decentralization but also power sharing.

'For most of the time since 2007 BS, the governance structure of the country has been centralized, so our mentality is fundamentally centralized,' Adhikari said, adding, 'Directly elected executive can be risky in a country like ours.'

UML leader and constitutional amendment task force member Dr. Bhishma Raj Adhikari said that the subject that the government wants to amend is not clear.

'Strengthening federalism strengthens the country,' Adhikari said. Former Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Lalbabu Raut, complained that federalism was weakened and made powerless from the beginning, saying that it came under pressure from Madhesh Province.

'When I was trying to make the Provincial Police Act, I received threats and intimidation from above. Federalism has become like an 'unwanted baby',' Raut said. Chairman of the Indigenous Nationalities Federation, Nima Hyolmo Lama, expressed the view that the issues of indigenous nationalities should be addressed and the core meaning of federalism is the provincial structure.

Rights activist JB Bishwakarma, writer Indu Tharu and others expressed their views in the program chaired by federalism expert Dr. Khimlal Devkota.