Kathmandu, November 8
The main opposition CPN-UML reiterated on Tuesday it will not let anyone redraw the boundaries of Province 5. At a time when the Prachanda-government is preparing to bring forth a Constitution amendment proposal that seeks to realign provincial boundaries, the main opposition said the situation will be unimaginable if the government chooses to divide Province 5.
The meeting of UML Province 5, held in Butwal on Tuesday, decided to launch a movement if any of the districts currently in Province 5 is made part of another province.
UML Central Member Surya Thapa informed that Tuesday’s meeting unanimously endorsed a special proposal that the chief of the party’s Province 5 and deputy general secretary Bishnu Poudel had presented at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Tharu and other Janajati communities of Province 5 as well as political leaders are against redrawing of the boundaries of the province. He warned that there will be bloodshed if anyone tries to impose its will on the province and have its way.
UML Central Member Metmani Chaudhari said if hill districts of Province 5 are made part of other provinces.
Baijnath Chaudhari, UML Central Member and lawmaker, said the country’s boundaries should not be redrawn for the sake of foreign forces. If the boundaries of Province 5 are realigned, there will be a massive movement and the state will be unable to handle it. Congress (Nepali Congress) and Maoist (CPN-Maoist Centre) leaders also agree on this.
The government has proposed keeping seven provinces but making ‘some changes’ in provincial boundaries. The amendment proposal seeks to redraw the boundaries of Provinces 4, 5 and 6.
The proposal seeks to include some districts currently in Province 5 in Provinces 4 and 6. As per the proposal, Province 5 will span from Nawalparasi to Bardiya. Currently, half of Nawalparasi is in Province 5, the proposal seeks to make it part of Province 5.
It proposes making Gulmi, Arghakhanchi and Palpa, which form part of Province 5, part of Province 4. The idea is also to include Pyuthan and Rolpa, which are part of Province 5 as of now, in Province 6. Half of Rukum district is currently in Province 4. The proposal seeks to make it part of Province 6.
Province 5, as it stands today, is home to one-third of CPN-UML Standing Committee members, including Bamdev Gautam. Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Poudel, Ghanashyam Bhusal, Secretary duo Pradip Gyawali and Gokarna Bista, and leaders like Shankar Pokharel, Chhabilal Bishwokarma are from this province.
UML Central Member Thapa said Tuesday’s meeting, in which the influential leaders were present, decided to thwart the conspiracy to divide Province 5.
UML Secretary Bista told Onlinekhabar after the meeting that there will be a massive uprising if efforts are made to divide Province 5 comprising Tarai and hills, which is home to Magars, Tharus and other communities. He said the UML has made a clear decision to not let anyone divide the province.
