Ethnic leaders of the country´s oldest party also argued that the party´s hold at the grassroots level can be maintained if the party formally decides to go for provinces based on “mixed identity”. [break]“All we have asked is to ensure federalism with ethnic identity. We have not demanded single-ethnic-identity-based provinces,” said Jeep Chhiring Lama Sherpa, who has been leading a group of ethnic NC leaders.
A group of ethnic NC leaders, including Sherpa and Indra Bahadur Gurung, on Wednesday had submitted an 11-point memorandum to the party President Sushil Koirala demanding that the concerns of ethnic groups be addressed. “We had already agreed to go for mixed identity based provinces such as Newa: Bagmati on May 27. But unfortunately, the CA saw its demise without promulgating a new statute,” Sherpa lamented.
After receiving the memorandum signed by 220 party leaders, Koirala had assured that their concerns would be discussed at the upcoming Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting. “We have been waiting to see how the party responds to our concerns,” Sherpa added.
Some ethnic leaders, including Sherpa, have threatened to quit the party if their demand for ethnic based provinces is not met.
Another ethnic NC leader Harsha Jeet Lama argued that the demand for single-ethnic-identity-based provinces drew criticism from various quarters as it was “grossly misunderstood”. “Though the naming of provinces alone would not have made any big difference, some groups seemingly feared that they would lose everything. It is, therefore, good to embrace a mixed-identity based provinces,” Lama said.
Ethnic NC leaders believe that mixed-identity based provinces would be acceptable to all. “Since we live in a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural society, ethnic groups will accept mixed-identity-based provinces. I am confident that I can convince people in my constituency on mixed-identity based provinces,” said NC leader Tulasi Subba.
Subba argued that though there is a relatively better representation of ethnic groups in politics, their representation in judiciary and bureaucracy is still negligible. “Our party should adopt various policy measures to empower the ethnic and marginalized groups,” he further said.
Former CA member from NC Lalita Kingring Magar said she has never been in favor of single-ethnic identity based province. “Ethnic divide would not augur well for the country,” she argued.
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