RJPN hopeful govt will address Madhes demands

KATHMANDU, March 12: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Mahendra Raya Yadav Monday said that his party voted Prime Minister K P Oli in the confidence motion in order to institutionalize the rights of Madhesi people.

“If the government has two-third majority, it will help address the issues of constitution amendment as we have demanded. Therefore, we supported PM Oli,” said Yadav talking to Rishi Dhamala at a radio program Nepali Bahas.

“Now, the government must first meet our demands of constitution amendment. Only then, we will become ready to join the government led by UML Chair Oli.”

PM Oli on Sunday secured the two third vote of confidence at the parliament. Of the total 268 parliamentarians who took part in the voting, Oli receivied 208 votes. The Madhes based parties RJPN and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) had also voted in favor of Oli.

He also added that his party, RJPN was holding talks with the government regarding the issues of amendment and possibilities of his party’s participation in the government.

“UML has assured of revision in constitution on the basis on need and justification. So, we are hopeful that our demands will be addressed,” said Yadav.

PM Oli, at a meeting of the federal parliament on Sunday before facing the vote of confidence, had stated that he had never ruled out the possibility of the amendment to the constitution. Oli also gave his words that the government would revise it on the basis of its meaning and would bring all dissenting parties on the same board.

Yadav also demanded release of lawmaker RJPN Resham Chaudhary, who is in custody in charge of masterminding the 2015 Tikapur incident.

RJPN has demanded that the government withdraw the case against everyone connected with Tikapur carnage and not to look at the incident from criminal angle.