In a significant step towards institutionalising federal democratic system in Nepal, four provincial assemblies today started their maiden meetings. The first-ever meetings of state assemblies in province 2, 5, 6 and 7 were held in the respective provincial capitals. The meetings were convened at the temporary headquarters Janakpur, Butwal, Birendranagar and Dhangadi respectively. Janakpur, the temporary capital of Province 2, has seen a spike in political activities in the past few days. Top leaders of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal and the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, which gained significance with their movement for federalism and the rights of the Madhesi people, are now in Janakpur. They are holding consultations for electing officials to hold provincial posts. There have been a series of protests and movements in the Tarai, mostly in Province 2, over some provisions of the federal constitution adopted in 2015.
More than 120 Madhesis were killed in clashes with the security forces. First time in the history of Nepal elections for provincial assembly were held in two phases on November 26 and December 7 last year. A total of 550 members were elected for 7 provincial assemblies. The Left Alliance of CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Center) registered massive victory in all states except Province 2. Two Madhesi parties Sanghiya Samjawadi Forum Nepal and Rashtriya Janata Party Nepal jointly secured majority in Province 2. Meanwhile, negotiations for formation of central as well as provincial governments are on. At the central level, CPN-UML and Maoist Centre, which have formed Left Alliance, are all set to form a majority government. Out of seven provinces, the Left Alliance is in a position to form governments in all except Province No 2. Madhesi parties will form their government in province No 2, which is situated in southern Nepal.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)