After NC, its UML Janajati, Madhesi leaders' turn to call it quits

A day after 36 janajati (indigenous nationalities) leaders and cadres of Nepali Congress announced their dissociation with the party, a group of around 550 janajati and madhesi leaders of CPN (UML) have also followed suit.

UML dissident leaders at a programme organised to formally announce their exit from the UML in Kathmandu on Friday...

Saying that they left the party 'to form a progressive and idelogical political power', the janjati and Madhesi leaders and cadres of UML from 61 districts across the country led by party vice chairman Ashok Rai announced their dissociation with the party.

Speaking at a programme organised in the Capital today to announce their dissociation with the party, Rai said, "I don't have any intention to stay with a party that doesn't acknowledge my identity and that of the community I belong to."

Rai said he had no alternative left but to establish a new progressive power center as the major political parties including UML failed in their responsibility to ensure peace and constitution.

"An alternative power center is needed to give a way out to the crisis facing the country. We are ready to provide such an alternative," he said, accusing the major parties of being 'power centric'.

"When we talk about equality and justice, those afflicted with narrow mindset accuse us of casteism and communalism. I feel pity for them. Previously, when Madhesi people asked for their rights, these very narrow-minded people accused them of trying to disintegrate the country,"
he said.

The group led by Rai, which had since quite some time been boycotting the UML party meetings and programmes protesting against party leadership's refusal to address their 9-point demand for an identity-based federalism, is preparing to form a new party under the leadership of Rai by incorporating janajati and Madhesi leaders active in various political parties, sectors and walks of life.

Along with Rai, the disgruntled janajati leaders and cadres who resigned today are politburo member Bijay Subba and 47 central members including Rajendra Shrestha, Bir Bahadur Lama, Rakam Chemjong, Ajambar Rai Kangmang, Rijwan Ansari, Gopal Thakur.

A faction of influential indigenous and Madhesi leaders of the party that calls itself 'Progressive Group' - Ram Chandra Jha, Prithvi Subba Gurung, Kiran Gurung and Dan Bahadur Rana - has, however expressed its desire to remain in the party and struggle for janajati and minority rights.

The aforesaid group had earlier voiced its serious concern over their party's stand against identity based federalism and even threatened to quit the party. nepalnews.com