The indigenous (Janajati) leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) have threatened to quit the party over differences with party leadership on the issue of identity-based federalism.
A delegation of around 122 indigenous leaders including formers Janajati Constituent Assembly members of NC and heads of the party’s sister wings representing indigenous nationalities met NC party president Sushil Koirala Wednesday afternoon and submitted a memorandum demanding that the party respect the sentiments of its Janajati leaders and their aspiration for identity-based federalism.
Former CA member and chairman of NC’s Adivasi Janajati Sangh Indra Bahadur Gurung said that it has become increasingly difficult for Janajati leaders of NC to continue to be in the party after its leadership unilaterally decided to go against identity-based federalism, which was one of the reasons behind CA’s failure to promulgate the new constitution.
Receiving the memorandum, Koirala said that Nepali Congress has always stood in favour of indigenous nationalities in the country and worked towards ensuring their rights.
Praising the important role played by indigenous nationalities in the development of the country, he assured that Nepali Congress has never worked against the interest of the Janajati people or their aspiration for identity-based federalism.
The warning by NC’s Janajati leaders has come at a time when indigenous leaders of another major party CPN (UML) have also threatened to leave the party to form a political outfit of their own if their party leadership doesn’t agree on identity-based federalism. nepalnews.com
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