Kathmandu, April 22 ( IANS) The alliance of Madhesi and Janajati forces in Nepal -- Sanghiya Gathabandhan (federal alliance) -- has unveiled low-key protest programme to carry on their struggle against the new constitution of the Himalayan nation.
The tactical alliance of agitating Madesis and Janajati groups in Nepal earlier announced to focus its protest in Kathamndu against the 'ultra-nationalist' K.P. Sharma Oli-led government.
With division in the Alliance over the forms of the new agitation, the new force expressing displeasure over the new constitution and holding protest since last September, has now decided to spread protest across the districts.
"We will see the response for the major parties, including the government, and accordingly we will announce second round of protest which would be more effective one," said Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum, a key leader from Madhesi constituencies.
The protests scheduled for April 27 to May 13 will focus on district-level public awareness campaign and in meantime, the Alliance is planning to make strategies for holding Kathmandu-centric protest.
The Alliance, in a statement on Friday, said the protests are intended to rewrite the constitution so that the concept of secularism, identity-based proportional inclusive representation and federal democratic republic status to Nepal could be constitutionally ensured.
"For this we are determined to hold a national-level agitation through unity and empowerment among Madhesis and Adivasi/Janajati forces," the statement read. "The agitation is also bent upon implementation of our 26-point joint demand and other pacts and agreements held with the government in the past."
According to the statement, from May 3, the Alliance will start formulating strategies for holding full-fledged Kathmandu-centric protest from May 14. It will also work on the roadmap for mobilising mass in the districts of Kathmandu valley.
Likewise, the Alliance said it will promote rhetoric 'Let's go to Kathmandu to picket Singha Durbar' in all its protest rallies.
Singha Durbar is the main administrative building of Nepal where all the ministries are located including the Prime Minister Office.
The Alliance, that had planned to launch Kathmandu-centric protests, backtracked on their plans on Tuesday doubting the success of their protest in the capital and also hoping to reach to some political settlement with the major parties.
On Thursday, the Alliance had briefed Nepal-based diplomatic community and international donors in a bid to garner their support for identity movement.
--IANS
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