In this context, UML Central Committee member Rakam Chemjong, one of the dissident leaders, spoke to Republica´s Gani Ansari on Monday on the party´s response. Excerpts: [break]
How have you taken the written response by party chairman Jhalanath Khanal to the concerns of dissident leaders?
Though it is a good thing to see party´s response, the chairman´s explanation hasn´t addressed our demands.
So, what had you expected the party chairman to include in the response?
The crux of the nine-point demand [of the dissident leaders] is that federal states must be formed based on single identity and a new constitution should be promulgated guaranteeing federalism. A new constitution should be promulgated by reviving the CA but the chairman´s response does not have clear mention of it. I think our fundamental concerns have not been addressed. The leadership has rejected our demands, so the problem remains.
How do you think that the problems should be resolved?
There are two ways. First, we [dissident leaders] should remain in the party by sticking to our demands and should accept party´s formal decisions. Second, the our demands should be taken to the lower units of the party, but the party doesn´t agree with this idea.
Your party chairman claims that you (dissident leaders) had accepted that federal units would be formed on a multi-ethnic, multi-language and multi-culture basis. What do you say about this?
We have never demanded that the federal units should be carved on the basis of single ethnicity, our demand is that the federal units should be named on the basis of single ethnicity. Although the names of federal units will be based on single ethnicity, identity, language and culture of other communities will be respected. It does not mean that any particular ethnic group will be promoted in such federal units.
Do you think the dissident leaders will be able to exert pressure on the leadership to agree to the demands by remaining in the party?
First of all, our demands must be addressed by the party. It will be difficult for Janajati and Madhesi leaders to continue working within the party because the party is not even ready to accept identity (of Janajati and Madhesi), citing the need for multi-identity. So far, the state had formulated policies in order to promote dominance of a particular ethnic group. But, now we want the state to adopt policies to empower all ethnic groups.
Will the dissident leaders resume their work in the party as the chairman has said that they would be reinstated in their posts?
Whether we get particular posts in the party is not the issue. The main concern is that the party should address our issues. I don´t think any leader will resume work in the party if the issues are not addressed by the party.
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