Madhesh-centric parties have expressed dissatisfaction over the Rastriya Swatantra Party's discussion of abolishing the provincial assembly at its Chitwan general convention. They met with the Constitution Amendment Task Force, coordinated by the Prime Minister's political advisor Asim Shah, on Thursday and warned that they would protest if the government formally moves forward with the proposal to abolish the provincial assembly. 

Madhesh-based party leaders have demanded that the Rastriya Swatantra Party, along with the government, clarify its position on the issue. These parties, which have staged major agitations in the Madhesh Terai for federalism, have expressed their view that the RSVP's proposal should be postponed in an interview with Kantipur.

Even if they can agree on the restructuring of the provinces in principle, the JSP Nepal, Janmat and Nagarik Unmukti Party say that abolishing the provincial assembly will weaken federalism.

JSP Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav has said that he will protest if there is an attack on the federal democratic republic, provincial system and inclusiveness. He said that 'federalism is an achievement achieved through the sacrifices of hundreds of Madheshi people' and that federalism cannot happen without a provincial assembly. Chairman Yadav said that the proposal made at the RSVP general convention was not the government's, so the government's decision would be important now. 'We will discuss the constitutional amendment after the government brings a concrete proposal,' he said.

Janmat Party Chairman CK Raut said that it was political dishonesty to bring a proposal at the general convention against Prime Minister Shah's statement made in Janakpur during the election rally. 'The people of Madhesh voted for the RSVP with the expectation of strengthening federalism, and now bringing a proposal to abolish the provincial assembly is political dishonesty,' he said. 'We are spreading information that the proposal to abolish the provincial assembly is wrong because federalism is necessary for rights, development, and equality.' He argued that since the provincial assembly is an integral part of the federal democratic republic, democracy would cease to exist if it is abolished. 'Other parties (Congress, UML, NCP) should also understand that democracy cannot exist without the provincial assembly,' he told Kantipur.

Laxman Lal Karna, a member of the constitution drafting committee issued in 2072 and leader of JSP Nepal, said that provinces without provincial assemblies would be meaningless. ‘While the government task force is discussing the drafting of a constitutional amendment debate paper, the proposal to abolish the provincial assembly is serious. Provinces without provincial assemblies cannot function. It would destroy the essence of the province,’ he said, ‘The provincial assembly can be remodeled, and the difficulties of the province can be thought about.’ He said that if a proposal to abolish the provincial assembly is made, they will reject it and start a movement. Leader Karna also said that the Madhesh parties met with the constitution amendment task force, coordinated by the Prime Minister’s political advisor Asim Shah, on Thursday and expressed their disagreement and dissatisfaction with the proposal to abolish the provincial assembly.

‘While amending the constitution, we said that the basic fundamental issues in the preamble of the constitution should not be tampered with, and if there is an agreement based on that, let’s discuss it,’ he said, ‘Although the general convention proposal to abolish the provincial assembly has been made, no decision has been taken on that issue, the task force members informed. But we have voted against the proposal to not hold a provincial assembly in a way that weakens federalism.'

Madhesh-centric parties say that the proposal to abolish the provincial assembly in a way that weakens the federalism achieved through people's movements, armed struggles, Madhesh, Tharu, and tribal movements has raised suspicions about the intentions of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They are preparing to discuss the RSSSP's proposal internally and form a common opinion as much as possible.

At an election rally held in Janakpur on Magh 5, Balendra Shah had said that the provinces do not have to go to Kathmandu to seek rights. He had said that the provinces will be empowered. 'You do not have to go to Kathmandu to demand rights, go visit Pashupati and Swayambhu,' he had said in Maithili. But in order to disrupt this, a proposal to abolish the provincial assembly was presented at the RSSSP general convention. 

RSSSP Vice President Swarnim Wagle had submitted a proposal to restructure federalism including abolishing the provincial assembly. His proposal was passed by the general convention as a supplementary proposal to President Ravi Lamichhane. ‘The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has already put forward for debate the agenda of governance reforms such as a directly elected Prime Minister, a system where MPs do not become ministers, a reduction of one-third of the number of non-party local levels and 753 municipalities, restructuring of federalism including the abolition of the Provincial Assembly, radical reforms of other constitutional bodies including the Judicial Council, and transparent funding of recognized political parties,’ Wagle’s report said.

However, President Lamichhane’s political report mentions restructuring the Provincial Assembly and the provincial government. ‘We are in favor of restructuring the Provincial Assembly and the provincial government,’ the report said. 

JSP Nepal leader Jitendra Sonal, who is also a member of the Madhesh Provincial Assembly, said that since federalism was established through the movement, struggle, and sacrifice of the oppressed Madhesi, Janajati, Muslim, and Tharu communities, he would oppose any action that would weaken it. ‘The provinces have an identity, rights and people’s accountability have been protected,’ he said, ‘Abolishing the provincial assembly will lead to another conflict.’

Noting that there were weaknesses in the past to strengthen the provinces, he said that the upcoming constitutional amendment should make them even stronger. ‘The people of Madhesh-Terai won the election to strengthen the provinces,’ he said, ‘The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) should play a role in strengthening the provincial assembly, but it should not be weakened. In the past, parties have failed to strengthen the provinces.’

Resham Chaudhary, the patron of the Civil Liberation Party Nepal, also says that federalism, which came about through a great movement, sacrifice and renunciation, and the abolition of the provincial assembly are unthinkable. ‘Discussions are being held about the model of provinces, to strengthen it, the number of provincial assembly members can be reduced,’ he said, ‘The proposal to abolish the provincial assembly will cause problems.’