Thoughts on federalism

Nepal achieved democracy, secularism, a republican setup and federalism in principle faster than most people thought it was possible. Lawlessness still prevails but if all parties were to come together on the issue like they did for the 2006 April Revolution, law and order situation can be improved swiftly. Right now, drafting the constitution feels like a huge task, and it is, but once we have the document, we are going to face the stark reality that the constitution is but a framework—the real work is to bring about an economic revolution that would last for decades. But the work on the constitution comes first and the knottiest issue there is likely to be federalism.

Do we need federalism? Yes, we do. We have already answered that question as a people. Now we have to do the hard work of figuring out what shape and form that federalism will take.

Do we need federalism? Yes, we do. We have already answered that question as a people. Now we have to do the hard work of figuring out what shape and form that federalism will take. There are a lot of people who hold the view that we should not divide the country along ethnic lines. We haven’t done a disservice to humanity by being a separate country. Similarly, ethnic federalism will not weaken our country. In fact, the opposite is true.

Neither the CPN-UML nor the Nepali Congress went to the people in April 2008 with maps on how federal Nepal would look like. The Maoists did and the Madhesi parties talked of One Madhes, One Pradesh. But, for the fact that the Maoists at least went to the people with a map, that map can be a good starting point as to the shape of federal Nepal.

I am a Madhesi from Janakpur. It is but natural that I will come to the federalism question from an angle that I feel speaks of the aspirations of my so-far oppressed people. Of all the maps I have seen so far, the one I like the most is the original Maoist map with modifications. You are looking at eight states: Madhes, Tharuwan, Khasan, Magarat, Tamuwan, Tamang, Newa and Kirat. I do understand that the Maoists have modified their map and now talk of about 15 states. I still like the eight-state map better.

As for the Tarai, I believe there are only two options. We can turn all of Tarai either into one state or two states. West of Rapti, we can have Tharuwan. Rapti to Mechi can be Madhes.

But the real knotty issue is not how we divide the states but rather how power will be distributed between the center and the states.

Of course, all the major highways in the country, all the big hydroelectricity projects will still be under the purview of the central government. But the states will have their own parliaments and wield major power.

The distribution of power between the center and the states has to be based on the one person, one vote principle. Because that is the democratic way. A directly-elected president would thus be good, although by now even the Maoists have abandoned the idea. The lower house could be shaped like the constituent assembly now.

Too many people from the hitherto ruling classes still fantasize about federalism ending up like King Birendra’s so-called five development regions. Those five regions were unscientific, ad hoc and against the spirit of federalism. Ethnic federalism, taking other issues into consideration, is going to be a good thing that will strengthen our national unity. The Nepali identity will get a new life.