While the government led by Madhesh Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal was seeking a vote of confidence, CPN-Maoist Centre MP Rahbar Ansari appeared in parliament smearing himself with moustache in a symbolic rebellion. Due to his rebellion, the Sonal-led government backed down from seeking a vote of confidence and the Chief Minister resigned.

Focusing on the latest situation of the provincial government and other contexts, Matrika Dahal edited excerpt of the conversation with the same MP Rahbar Ansari :

He had said from the rostrum of the provincial assembly that we are all incompetent, he himself even smeared moss on his face, the provincial chief administered the oath to the new chief minister in a hotel on Monday morning. What is happening in Madhesh?

All these things are the result of the situation, corruption, and misrule in Madhesh. 6.4 million Madhesh people have expected from us time and again, but after I was elected, I have already given a vote of confidence about 4 times. There are 107 of us in this house, 107 people before us. In the 8 years of implementation of federalism, no one has been able to give Madhesh a way out. Either we are incompetent, we are criminals. So it was a kind of symbolic rebellion. I had said from the rostrum of the parliament, ‘Today I have come to accept collective guilt, collective is the guilt of all of us.’ I smeared myself with moustache, then said, ‘Go home and look in the mirror.’

What is the background of the situation where you smeared yourself with moustache?

Chief Minister Jitendra Sonalji had to take a vote of confidence. He needed 54 votes. He had considered 54 people including me in favor. I had not told anyone that I would rebel or oppose. I asked for time to speak. I said that I did not support it. Then one vote was reduced. A woman MP from the Maoists also supported what I said. Then, when two people did not vote, the government was in a minority. Then they had a long discussion. Whatever happened, now you give a vote of confidence. In a way, they pressured me. Then the woman MP who came out in my favor agreed. But, I did not agree. I had spoken from my heart about what I had stood for. That is why I said that I would not back down from my decision. By now, almost all the parties have come to the government. My party has also come. I do not believe that these parties will come together to find a solution. That is why I said no. If the party takes action, let it be done, I am ready to accept it. Finally, he (Chief Minister Sonal) understood that I would not back down from my stand. At that time, the time for voting for the vote of confidence had also exactly ended. He said that he would submit his resignation. Then the House was adjourned.

Two days later, on Monday morning, the state chief administered the oath of office to the new Chief Minister at a hotel, which is being criticized everywhere. Who is the main responsible for this situation?

I am clear that the provincial chief did not discharge his responsibility seriously. After the Chief Minister resigned under Article 168 (2) of the Constitution, a vote of confidence was not taken. There was no question of voting or not. Under that same article, two or more parties could claim the government. But the provincial chief, whether in haste or deceit, on Monday morning, under Article 168 (3), the leader of the UML parliamentary party, as the largest party, was appointed as the Chief Minister. In my opinion, this is a completely wrong step. Because until the vote of confidence under Article 168 (2) fails, it would not have been possible to move to Article 3.

The role of the provincial chief has been questioned. But, is it said that the role of your own party, the Maoists, is also responsible for the uncomfortable and difficult situation that has arisen in Madhesh?

Let me clarify this. On Saturday evening, I also came under pressure from my party. My party friends also urged me to give a vote of confidence. The party president tried to talk to me 4/5 times. But, I said no. I also told the party's Madhesh in-charge Matrika Yadav the same. From that perspective, the Maoists' view is that the Sonal-led government should be saved. I tried to 'cross the floor'. And, I did say that. If there had been a vote, I would not have voted. But there was no vote. This is my opinion, not the party's opinion. The party's role was 'clear'. It was that Sonalji should be made the Chief Minister.

The latest developments seem to be defaming and weakening federalism. What benefit has this given you?

The constitution has given us 'space' to exercise federalism and power. But, till date, there is naked interference of three parties in all seven provinces. The constitution did not give the authority, but it was made as if the authority was taken out of the lockers of the top leaders. I was also rebelling against that. Calling from the center and giving instructions to vote is a dirty joke on federalism. Should we also try ourselves, should we give the vote of confidence or not? It is our decision. This trend is also in other provinces. Dirty jokes are going on everywhere. Another message is that even after such a big rebellion, our leaders have not improved.

After the Gen-G rebellion, an interim government has been formed at the center, the House of Representatives has been dissolved and elections have been announced on 21 Falgun. Is this a sign that Madhesh province will also go the same way?

We are now in Article 168 (2). The provincial head has said that he has appointed the Chief Minister according to Clause 3. Suppose, what does the constitution say if the government cannot be formed after using all the articles and clauses to form the government? It says to dissolve the assembly. Dissolution of the assembly means going for a fresh mandate again. If that does not happen, then the constitution itself is saying that process. However, to get there, other stages of government formation must be completed. Not everything can be called anti-federal. This is what the constitution has given. Dissolution of the provincial assembly does not mean the dissolution of the provincial assembly, but a fresh mandate. It can also come to other provinces. When talking about the formation of the Madhesh government, it seems that clause 3 has been reached. Now the legal battle begins. A writ has also been registered, let's see what happens! But, if nothing happens, then a fresh mandate is something that the constitution itself has provided.