KATHMANDU, June 25: Janamat Party Chair CK Raut, on Sunday, assured Resham Chaudhary to make efforts for his release from prison.

Raut, as soon as returning from two-week long Europe tour, had reached Bir Hospital to take stock of Chaudhary’s health.

Raut and Chaudhary had discussed the contemporary political issues and ways to secure Chaudhary’s release from prison, Raut wrote on his Facebook page.

Raut also claimed that only Janamat Party could secure his release since he has already lost hope from other political parties. The Janamat Party was formed on March 18 following the 11-point agreement between Raut and the government.

Chaudhary and nine others were sentenced to life imprisonment by Kailali District Court on March 6 on the charge of masterminding 2015 Tikapur carnage.

On August 24, 2015, armed protesters affiliated with the Tharuhat Struggle Committee had attacked security forces attempting to enforce restrictions with axes, scythes and spears in Tikapur of Kailali district killing eight, including seven police officers and a two-year-old baby.

A candidate of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), Chaudhary had won the House of Representative elections from Kailali constituency in 2018 elections. He had filed his candidacy through a representative as he was in hiding.

Chaudhary had surrendered himself to the district court on February 26 last year.

He was sworn-in as a lawmaker on January 3 while his case was still sub-judice in the court. After swearing-in, he was sent back to Dillibazar prison.

KATHMANDU, May 1: Janamat Party Chair CK Raut has said that the preparation for agreement with the government was made inside the jail.

Raut–who was leading the Alliance for the Independent Madhes advocating for the establishment of independent Madhes and end to racism, slavery and discrimination imposed on Madhesi people–in a dramatic turn of events, reached an 11-point agreement with the government on March 8.

Talking to Rishi Dhamala on a popular television talk show Janata Janna Chahanchan, Raut claimed that agreement with the government was done as per the mandate given by the people.

“I did not agree to reach the deal with the government due to pressure from the international community,” he said.

“The deal was a need of the hour and as demanded by the people,” he added.

“All the preparation for establishing consensus with the government were made inside the jail,” said Raut, who was in judicial custody and had received a release order from the Supreme Court only a day ago when he and the government signed the deal.

Various sources had reported that Raut was holding talks with the government for a week.

After the agreement, Raut announced he was joining national mainstream politics and abandoning his secessionist movement he was leading since 2007. Ten days later, Raut formed his Janamat Party.

However, the government’s decision to welcome the leader of separatist movement into national politics heated a fresh debate within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and among others including the main opposition Nepali Congress. A portion of NCP leaders argued Raut has not mentioned anywhere that he has quit his secessionist movement while opposition NC referred the point two of the agreement as “call for a referendum”.

Instead, Raut accused the regional parties Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) led by Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) of being secessionist.

“Yadav and RJPN’s Mahanta Thakur conspired to send me to jail,” he vented ire, “they have always managed to find something to put accusation on me.”

He also accused Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut of exploiting the Madhesi people.

“The regional parties will be swept away in the next elections,” he added.

“We fully accept the Constitution of Nepal,” Raut said

“The door to the agreement was opened because our activities were not against the spirit of the constitution,” he claimed.

Raut clarified he demanded independent Madhes because the Madhesi people were discriminated.

LAHAN, March 18: CK Raut, who recently reached an 11-point deal with government and abandoned his secessionist movement to join the national mainstream politics, has formed a new party on Sunday.

The Alliance met for the first time on Monday after the agreement with the government.

The two-day national council meeting decided on the name while also forming a 25-member central committee, according to a statement issued by the party’s central member Abdul Khan.

CK Raut was chosen to lead the party as well. A decision was also taken on the party’s flag and election symbol and would be applied for registration at the Election Commission.

The meeting also formed a three-member agreement enforcement committee led by Chandan Singh to take the initiative to withdraw cases against the party leaders and cadres, as per the agreement with the government.

The statement also states that the party will now go to the people to collect their mandate, and continue to struggle for the rights and demands of the people constitutionally.

‘GOVT HASN’T BANNED POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF CHAND GROUP’

KATHMANDU, March 18: The government, in a dramatic turn of events, recently took two significant political decisions: 11-point agreement with Alliance for Independent Madhesh (AIM) led by CK Raut and restriction on activities of Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’.

But the government’s unexpected deal faced criticisms and support, heating a fresh debate within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and among other political forces including the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC).

A portion of leaders of the ruling party were discontent over the government’s step to bring Raut into the national politics and the content of agreement reached with Raut, who is accused of leading a separatist campaign. The unhappy leaders, who accused the government of signing the deal in non-transparent manner, also pointed out that Raut has not mentioned anywhere that he has quit his secessionist movement.

Opposition NC sought either revision or explanation of the phrase in agreement No 2 which states ‘people’s mandate in a democratic manner’–which NC referred as “call for referendum.”

On the other hand, Raut‘s supporters celebrated the agreement as their victory—which, according to researcher Suman Mandal, bought freedom and relief to Raut, who was arrested a dozen times since 2014 for sedition and treason; and the agreement legitimately allowing AIM to freely exercise their activities.

Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala caught up with NCP General Secretary Bishnu Paudel to talk about these issues. Excerpt:

Why is there discontent within the ruling party? Why could not the government make this deal non-debatable?

First and foremost, the agreement with CK Raut, which brought the secessionist campaigner to national mainstream politics, is a significant decision. In the agreement Raut has accepted federal republic Nepal as independent, autonomous and sovereign country. Raut’s alliance will now exercise his activities remaining within the framework of constitution and democratic methods. The government’s move will be successful.

Next, no issue is undebatable if brought as a subject of argument. Is it wrong to make Raut sign on the agreement that saves the country from disintegration? He has agreed to abide by law and constitution of the country and get involved in politics peacefully. If this is wrong, what is right then?

Has Raut abandoned secessionist movement?

Of course, he has. It is the main point of the agreement.

Will the agreement be implemented?

The agreement has been done for implementing. Both the government and Raut cannot step away from agreement. If Raut breaches the agreement, he will not be spared.

Why did the government decide to restrict Chand’s group’s activities? It is a repression policy?

Of course not! The government formed a negotiation committee in the leadership of Som Prasad Pandey. The committee made several efforts to bring Chand group to formal talk with the government…but no avail. The Chand group rejected the talks appeal and continued carrying out its violent activities which threatened the civil’s right to live freely and peacefully. Therefore, the government imposed ban on Chand’s activities. It’s the government’s duty to bring such groups within the constitutional boundary.

Does the constitution allow ban on any group?

We have banned Chand’s activities. We have disallowed violence and murder. Not the political activities of Chand group.

Is the government prepared to mobilize the army?

Such condition will not occur. The government will protect the constitutional right of every citizen to live peacefully.

Kamal Thapa-led Rastriya Prajatantra Party has demanded restoration of monarchy and reinstatement of Nepal as Hindu state. How will the government address RPP’s demand?

The government will remain flexible to each and every demands raised within the legal framework. The constitution has already recognized Nepal as a republic state.

KATHMANDU, March 17: Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chair and Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav has argued that the government, by deciding to bring CK Raut led Alliance for Independent Madhesh into mainstream politics, has become successful.

“Raut was leading a secessionist movement demanding separate Madhes. But the government brought Raut to the mainstream politics by reaching a 11-point deal,” said Yadav talking to journalists at Biratnagar Airport on Sunday.

“The government has become successful,” he added, “We should not misinterpret the agreement between Raut and the government.”

Yadav also said that government fulfilled its duty by restricting the activities of Netra Bikram Chanda ‘Biplav’ led Communist Party of Nepal.

“It is the government’s duty to provide security to people. Thus, the government can impose ban on any activities that are threat to nation and its people,” he added.

Raut and the government reached an 11-point agreement on March 8, a day after the Supreme Court issued a release order of Raut who had been in jail for the past four months.

After signing the agreement, Raut quit his separatist movement withdrawing his demand for separate Madhes to join national politics while acknowledging Nepal as a free and sovereign nation.

Yadav also reiterated that his party is not quitting the government. “We will continue serving people from the government,” he said.

He also opined that Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN)’s withdrawal of support from the government has no meaning at all.

KATHMANDU, March 11: Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that holding referendum on country’s national integrity and sovereignty is not possible.

“Referendum on country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is not possible and beyond imagination,” said Prime Minister Oli while addressing the 18^th founding anniversary of National Security Council Secretariat in Kathmandu on Monday.

“The secessionist movement in Nepal has come to an end. But why are a section of people being delusional,” he added.

The government and Independent Madhes Alliance led by CK Raut on Friday reached an 11-point deal, according to which Raut, a leader of separatist movement demanding autonomous Madhesh, will end secessionist movement and join national politics.

But the supporters of Raut welcomed him in Janakpur on Sunday with banners and slogans of ‘Free Madhes’ going against the agreement which bans Raut and his supporters to distribute reading materials and carry out activities against the existing Constitution.

According to Oli, the government decided Raut into mainstream politics to end the secessionist movement which is against the national interest.

POKHARA, March 11: Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has insisted that no one should have qualms over the agreement signed between the government and CK Raut.

Addressing a press meet organized by Press Organization Nepal Kaski on Monday, the former Prime Minister described the agreement as an effort to bring a group that has been waging a secessionist movement into the political mainstream.

He said the agreement was reached with the intention of bringing (CK Raut-led group) into the political mainstream as per the main spirit of the constitution, national integrity and independence as well as on the basis of the discussions held in the party meeting and the government.

Stating that it was appropriate for the government to try and bring all types of political tendencies into the political mainstream, the party Chairman said this shows that the government was serious towards imbibing the greater national unity, independence and participation of all groups.

He added that agreement has been made as per the goal of accommodating all as far as possible for bolstering national unity, clarifying that there was no need of even debating much on the language and other topics related to the agreement. Issues like public consent, referendum have to be decided by two-thirds majority by parliament, Chairman Prachanda explained.

Noting that the government would move ahead by accommodating all, he urged the Biplav-led Maoist party to join the mainstream politics by holding talks with the present communist-led government.

“There is no any meaning of conducting politics based on bombing and arms in Nepal now as the present situation has qualitatively changed. The politics of arms and violence is not possible now and the state will also not stay mum to that regard,” he warned.

Stating that the remaining works pertaining to party unification have reached the final phase and they were in the course of finalizing the same, the party Chair said the government too was moving ahead in its pace. “Although there was some letup in the government’s work due to the tight schedule of formulating many laws, the government is moving ahead in carrying out its works including development and construction works,” he added.

He said works have been done regarding social security, ending unemployment, among others. Saying the people have reposed hope and faith in the NCP, the presence of a mass of people in a program held by the party recently in Rautahat proved this. RSS

KATHMANDU, March 11: The standing committee meeting of the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist), CPN (ML), has said the government’s bringing the CK Raut-led group involving in secessionist activities into peaceful politics is a positive step.

The meeting chaired by party general secretary CP Mainali also urged the government to immediately make its views public saying the CK Raut group has started publicizing that the government has agreed to organize a ‘referendum’ on its demand of ‘Madhes as an independent country’.

The party said that point number 2 of the agreement mentioned, ‘agreed that the grievances in the Tarai/ Madhes and elsewhere in the country would be resolved through the democratic method of public consultation’.

Based on this point, CPN (ML) standing committee stated that the government should be cautious of the possibility of the CK Raut group pursuing seditious activities through peaceful means.

The party also expressed its objection to what it said the government agreeing to the group’s name as ‘Independent Madhes Alliance’ and the agreement mentioning that the Alliance would be treated as a democratic political force. RSS

KATHMANDU, March 10: The lawmakers from the ruling party-NCP- have expressed their concern over the agreement between government and Chandrakanta (CK) Raut-led Alliance for Independent Madhes recently and demanded to amend the agreement.

At the special hour of today’s meeting of House of Representatives, lawmaker Bhim Bahadur Rawal argued some of the words in the agreement were not in line with the spirit of constitution of Nepal.

Rawal said, “Raut has to apologize for spitting venom against nationality and indivisibility in the past. He has not eaten his words against secession. His remarks about renouncing secessionist drive and to forge a peaceful consensus is a contradictory statement. He should correct it and make clear.”

He argued that although the clause 5 of article 56 of the constitution of Nepal mentions about autonomy and although an agreement was made on self-governance, it could not be achieved.

Furthermore, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense demanded with the government to amend the recent agreement inked with the alliance that are not in the interest and welfare of the nation.

On the other note, Rawal viewed that the citizenship certificates should not be issued to the Nepalis in such a manner that pushes them to minority status.
However, Mahesh Basnet claimed that the incumbent government had forged a historic agreement with CK Raut-led group after since with the CPN-Maoist (Center) while Rajendra Lingden commented that there was political conundrum whether CK Raut group joined the side of government or the government joined the CK Raut group.

He sarcastically said that by the look on things, it appeared to him that the government joined the CK Raut-led group.

Padam Giri and Radha Gyawali argued that by bringing the Raut-led group that was waging secessionist government into the mainstream politics was a commendable and historic work of the government.

Likewise Nepali Congress lawmaker Dr Minendra Rijal questioned the Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, saying, “The Minister of Home Affairs has made an agreement with CK Raut. There should not be referendum on geographical indivisibility related issue. Whoever incites violence is a wrong thing. There is still backlog of peace process. What did the Maoists do in the past?’

He claimed that the incumbent government failed to deliver when it comes to economic development as only current expenditure stands at 35 per cent and capital expenditure at 17 per cent while it has been eight months since the new fiscal year.

Renuka Gurung demanded probe into the education consultancies due to which as many as 1,200 Nepali students were left in lurch in Australia.

Prem Suwal said that the government has its clear viewpoints about the rights of the small countries. He asserted that few human rights defenders and celebrity political leaders were not concerned about the issues facing the small countries.
Divyamani Rajbhandari commented that the stakeholders under the Nepal Telecommunications Authority were not paying attention towards the NCell’s tax evasion issue.

Prem Prasad Tulachan voiced that the extreme snowfall in the hilly districts this winter affected the vehicular activities, construction of roads and other physical infrastructures. He also demanded compensation to the owners of the livestock that were killed in various places across Mustang due to the disrupted traffic government.

Meena Subba said that the government should form a talk team to resolve the issues relating to the former British Gurkha soldiers. She argued, “The British Gurkha soldiers are not non-residential ones. They should continue to obtain the citizenship certificate of the UK.”

Leela Gurung demanded that the victims of conflicts should be declared martyrs and their families should be provided compensation.  RSS

KATHMANDU, March 10: Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has said he was surprised to receive reactions from various angles on the political agreement forged between the government and the free Madhes alliance. As he said he was not expecting it, but the happiness and excitement.

Home Minister Thapa said this in response to the demand the lawmakers made at today’s meeting of the House of Representatives on the recent agreement between government and CK Raut.

“In whatever way the reactions have come, they have contributed to government stand on country’s sovereignty and independence,” he said, adding that the allegation of government’s recklessness on some points of the agreement is mere illusion. “Agreement between government and CK Raut is historic in terms of protecting Nepal’s sovereignty and integrity.”

The Home Minister further urged all not to worry that the agreement weakens the country. “Constitution has not imagined the split of any part from the country. Some may have been confused on the word ‘abhimat’, but is does not have ambiguity. The terms in the agreement are wisely selected.

According to him, at a time when there were two kinds of groups acting against country’s independence and sovereignty, the group acting for country’s division has joined peaceful way for country’s sovereignty and independence. It is therefore for country’s interest, he asserted, underscoring that it further helps strengthen peace and security.

Moreover, Minister Thapa claimed he was not telling lies that the agreement the government made was to hold referendum to split Tarai/Madhes from the country. But, it means Madhesi people’s socio economic and cultural rights would be addressed in democratic way. It is everyone’s duty to protect country’s independence, integrity and sovereignty, so it is not good to see this agreement as treacherous and against constitution.

He however made it clear that if the Madhes alliance made the view that the agreement paved way for referendum, it was against agreement.

The reports of the commission on investigation of Madhes agitation would be made public as per the need. RSS