Ganesh Yadav was shot by police during deadly protests that roiled southern Nepal in 2015, but he is ready to return to the streets -- a mark of the intense anger still felt as the area prepares to go to the polls.

Nepal last month began holding its first local elections in 20 years, a key stage in the country&#39;s post-war transformation from feudal monarchy to federal democracy.

On Wednesday, voting is due to take place in the southern plains, home to the country&#39;s Madhesi ethnic minority, who demonstrated in huge numbers two years ago to protest new federal borders they say will leave them politically marginalised.

The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RPJ-N), the main party representing the Madhesi community, has already said it will boycott Wednesday&#39;s polls, raising doubts about their legitimacy and fears of a resurgence in the violence.

&quot;This is a fight for equality and dignity,&quot; 31-year-old Yadav, a farmer, told AFP as he cradled his one-year-old son at his home on the outskirts of Janakpur in southern Nepal.

&quot;I was shot, but I am still joining protests.&quot;

More than 50 people died in the months-long protests, most of them shot when police fired into crowds of demonstrators -- a response condemned by rights campaigners.&nbsp;

Analysts say the government&#39;s failure to address the grievances of the community, which makes up around 20 per cent of Nepal&#39;s population, could be holding back the country&#39;s progress.

Parties representing the Madhesi have already forced several postponements of the local elections, which are supposed to pave the way for provincial polls and then national elections by January, when the mandate of the current parliament expires.

The government recently postponed the polls in the voting area that includes Janakpur --&nbsp;seen as a potential flashpoint -- until September following local protests.

&quot;The unaddressed agendas of the Madhes are in a way holding the country hostage, keeping it from smoothly completing its democratic processes,&quot; said lawyer and Madhesi activist Dipendra Jha.

The Madhesis, who live in Nepal&#39;s populous southern lowlands known as the Terai and share close linguistic and cultural ties with India, have long complained that the existing federal borders deprive them of fair political representation.

Many were denied citizenship, rendering them stateless, until a 2006 law that allowed non-Nepali speakers born and raised in the country to become naturalised citizens.&nbsp;

&#39;Sidelined again&#39;&nbsp;

Yadav said he grew up watching his neighbours mistreated by powerful landowners from the hills of central Nepal and faced racism when he went to study in the capital.

&quot;There has always been an attitude of discrimination towards people from the plains,&quot; he said.

The row that blew up in 2015, shortly after a deadly earthquake in the country, stemmed from a new national constitution that set federal boundaries.

The Madhesi say these will leave them underrepresented in parliament and have demanded an amendment that would allow the boundaries to be redrawn.

The government has drawn up an amendment, but it is unclear whether it has the numbers it needs to pass the bill in the face of opposition from rival parties.

Senior RJP-N leader Rajendra Mahato said his party would hold out even after rival parties said they would take part in the elections.

&quot;The government and major political parties have an opportunity to amend the constitution before the September polls, which could make a conducive environment for the election,&quot; he said.

Mass protests in the Tarai first broke out in 2007, forcing leaders to promise greater regional autonomy and representation in state bodies.

That was supposed to be included in the constitution, but Madhesis say its provisions fall short of the promises they were made.

In the dusty streets of Janakpur, many hope the government responds before more radical secessionist voices gain support.

&quot;If the main parties become sincere, then the constitution amendment would not take so long,&quot; said Saroj Mishra, a shopkeeper and community leader.

&quot;But our demands have been sidelined again and again.&quot;

Voting will take place in southern Nepal on Wednesday

Ganesh Yadav was shot by police during deadly protests that roiled southern Nepal in 2015, but he is ready to return to the streets -- a mark of the intense anger still felt as the area prepares to go to the polls. Nepal last month began holding its first local elections in 20 years, a key stage in the country's post-war transformation from feudal monarchy to federal democracy. On Wednesday, voting is due to take place in the southern plains, home to the country's Madhesi ethnic minority, who demonstrated in huge numbers two years ago to protest new federal borders they say will leave them politically marginalised. The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RPJ-N), the main party representing the Madhesi community, has already said it will boycott Wednesday's polls, raising doubts about their legitimacy and fears of a resurgence in the violence. "This is a fight for equality and dignity," 31-year-old Yadav, a farmer, told AFP as he cradled his one-year-old son at his home on the outskirts of Janakpur in southern Nepal. "I was shot, but I am still joining protests." More than 50 people died in the months-long protests, most of them shot when police fired into crowds of demonstrators -- a response condemned by rights campaigners. Analysts say the government's failure to address the grievances of the community, which makes up around 20 per cent of Nepal's population, could be holding back the country's progress. Parties representing the Madhesi have already forced several postponements of the local elections, which are supposed to pave the way for provincial polls and then national elections by January, when the mandate of the current parliament expires. The government recently postponed the polls in the voting area that includes Janakpur -- seen as a potential flashpoint -- until September following local protests. "The unaddressed agendas of the Madhes are in a way holding the country hostage, keeping it from smoothly completing its democratic processes," said lawyer and Madhesi activist Dipendra Jha. The Madhesis, who live in Nepal's populous southern lowlands known as the Terai and share close linguistic and cultural ties with India, have long complained that the existing federal borders deprive them of fair political representation. Many were denied citizenship, rendering them stateless, until a 2006 law that allowed non-Nepali speakers born and raised in the country to become naturalised citizens. 'Sidelined again' Yadav said he grew up watching his neighbours mistreated by powerful landowners from the hills of central Nepal and faced racism when he went to study in the capital. "There has always been an attitude of discrimination towards people from the plains," he said. The row that blew up in 2015, shortly after a deadly earthquake in the country, stemmed from a new national constitution that set federal boundaries. The Madhesi say these will leave them underrepresented in parliament and have demanded an amendment that would allow the boundaries to be redrawn. The government has drawn up an amendment, but it is unclear whether it has the numbers it needs to pass the bill in the face of opposition from rival parties. Senior RJP-N leader Rajendra Mahato said his party would hold out even after rival parties said they would take part in the elections. "The government and major political parties have an opportunity to amend the constitution before the September polls, which could make a conducive environment for the election," he said. Mass protests in the Tarai first broke out in 2007, forcing leaders to promise greater regional autonomy and representation in state bodies. That was supposed to be included in the constitution, but Madhesis say its provisions fall short of the promises they were made. In the dusty streets of Janakpur, many hope the government responds before more radical secessionist voices gain support. "If the main parties become sincere, then the constitution amendment would not take so long," said Saroj Mishra, a shopkeeper and community leader. "But our demands have been sidelined again and again."

Anger in southern Nepal threatens crucial elections

At least 21 workers from Nepal&#39;s main Opposition party were injured in clashes with police during a protest in Kailali district Wednesday.&nbsp;

Seventy Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) party workers were arrested.&nbsp;

The workers were protesting a constitution amendment bill which aims to carve out a new province in the country to meet the demands of the Madhesi -- plains dwellers in the south of the country -- and other ethnic groups, including citizenship issues and delineation of provincial boundaries.&nbsp;

The protests started last week after the ruling coalition government led by Prime Minister Prachanda registered a motion last week to amend the constitution.

Despite the motion, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) refused to support the amendment bill, saying it was not acceptable in its current form.&nbsp;

The CPN-MUL meanwhile has asked the government to release its members.&nbsp;

A political crisis has been brewing ever since the country&#39;s new constitution was adopted in September 2015, dividing the country into seven provinces. The Madhesis want no mixing of the hill and plain districts.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

70 CPN-UML workers were arrested. The clashes took place in Kailali district

At least 21 workers from Nepal's main Opposition party were injured in clashes with police during a protest in Kailali district Wednesday. Seventy Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) party workers were arrested. The workers were protesting a constitution amendment bill which aims to carve out a new province in the country to meet the demands of the Madhesi -- plains dwellers in the south of the country -- and other ethnic groups, including citizenship issues and delineation of provincial boundaries. The protests started last week after the ruling coalition government led by Prime Minister Prachanda registered a motion last week to amend the constitution. Despite the motion, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) refused to support the amendment bill, saying it was not acceptable in its current form. The CPN-MUL meanwhile has asked the government to release its members. A political crisis has been brewing ever since the country's new constitution was adopted in September 2015, dividing the country into seven provinces. The Madhesis want no mixing of the hill and plain districts. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Nepal: 21 Opposition workers injured in clashes with police

Claiming that the recently signed India, Nepal 25-point agreement &quot;undermines&quot; the sovereignty of the landlocked country, several opposition parties in Nepal have announced that they will jointly launch a protest later this month.&nbsp;

In a statement in Kathmandu, the eight Left parties - CPN-ML, CPN-Revolutionary Maoist, CPN-Masal, CPN-Marxist, People&#39;s Front Nepal, National People&#39;s Front - announced their protest against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal&rsquo;s decision.&nbsp;

CPN-Masal General-Secretary Mohan Bikram Singh said the political parties will hold the joint protest programme beginning on October 25 as certain clauses of the communique signed in New Delhi on September 16 were against the national interests of Nepal.&nbsp;

They have decided to jointly issue a leaflet highlighting the need to launch a struggle against &quot;the act of betrayal&quot; to the nation by Prachanda-led coalition government.

Singh added that the agreement was struck at a time when the country felt a need to scrap the &quot;unequal and anti-national&quot; treaties signed with India in the past.&nbsp;

The joint statement in New Delhi last month had announced measures to strengthen ties between the two neighbours, securing the open borders - not allowing it to be misused by unscrupulous elements, and regularly reviewing economic progress. &nbsp;

The bilateral ties had suffered due to the prolonged protest by Madhesi people in Nepal, demanding changes to the Constitution, that also led to a massive shortage of essential commodities and fuel in Nepal.

(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Opposition parties in Nepal have decided to organise a grand rally in Kathmandu later this month against the Indo-Nepal agreement

Claiming that the recently signed India, Nepal 25-point agreement "undermines" the sovereignty of the landlocked country, several opposition parties in Nepal have announced that they will jointly launch a protest later this month. In a statement in Kathmandu, the eight Left parties - CPN-ML, CPN-Revolutionary Maoist, CPN-Masal, CPN-Marxist, People's Front Nepal, National People's Front - announced their protest against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s decision. CPN-Masal General-Secretary Mohan Bikram Singh said the political parties will hold the joint protest programme beginning on October 25 as certain clauses of the communique signed in New Delhi on September 16 were against the national interests of Nepal. They have decided to jointly issue a leaflet highlighting the need to launch a struggle against "the act of betrayal" to the nation by Prachanda-led coalition government. Singh added that the agreement was struck at a time when the country felt a need to scrap the "unequal and anti-national" treaties signed with India in the past. The joint statement in New Delhi last month had announced measures to strengthen ties between the two neighbours, securing the open borders - not allowing it to be misused by unscrupulous elements, and regularly reviewing economic progress. The bilateral ties had suffered due to the prolonged protest by Madhesi people in Nepal, demanding changes to the Constitution, that also led to a massive shortage of essential commodities and fuel in Nepal. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indo-Nepal agreement undermines national sovereignty, say Nepal's opposition parties

Nepal&#39;s new Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda named a minority leader to the key position of home minister in his first appointments on Thursday, seeking reconciliation after months of protests by southern plainsfolk over a new constitution. 
 
Prachanda,whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, still uses his wartime pseudonym, which means &quot;fierce&quot;. He has promised to keep his cabinet small, after predecessor K P Oli was criticised for appointing a 32-member coalition with six deputy prime ministers. 
 
After the oath-taking ceremony in capital Kathmandu, Prachanda administered the oath of office to five ministers, including three from his political party and two from the Nepali Congress. 
 
The sixty-one-year-old former rebel commander has vowed to tackle the grievances of the Madhesi minority that demands a greater say in central government by amending the constitution adopted last September. 
 
The Madhesis, who have close cultural and family ties with neighbouring India, have staged protests against the charter, saying it marginalised them by dividing their southern homeland into several states. 
 
Violence, blamed by many Madhesis on the use of excessive police force, claimed more than 50 lives in protests that petered out in February. 
 
Prachanda appointed Bimalendra Nidhi of the centrist Nepali Congress, the biggest coalition party, as deputy prime minister in charge of the home ministry, officials said. 
 
Among those appointed to the cabinet was Krishna Bahadur Mahara from Prachanda&#39;s Maoist party, who will also be a deputy prime minister in charge of the finance ministry. 
 
(Reuters)

He has vowed to tackle the grievances of the Madhesis who demand a greater say in central government?

Nepal's new Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda named a minority leader to the key position of home minister in his first appointments on Thursday, seeking reconciliation after months of protests by southern plainsfolk over a new constitution. Prachanda,whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, still uses his wartime pseudonym, which means "fierce". He has promised to keep his cabinet small, after predecessor K P Oli was criticised for appointing a 32-member coalition with six deputy prime ministers. After the oath-taking ceremony in capital Kathmandu, Prachanda administered the oath of office to five ministers, including three from his political party and two from the Nepali Congress. The sixty-one-year-old former rebel commander has vowed to tackle the grievances of the Madhesi minority that demands a greater say in central government by amending the constitution adopted last September. The Madhesis, who have close cultural and family ties with neighbouring India, have staged protests against the charter, saying it marginalised them by dividing their southern homeland into several states. Violence, blamed by many Madhesis on the use of excessive police force, claimed more than 50 lives in protests that petered out in February. Prachanda appointed Bimalendra Nidhi of the centrist Nepali Congress, the biggest coalition party, as deputy prime minister in charge of the home ministry, officials said. Among those appointed to the cabinet was Krishna Bahadur Mahara from Prachanda's Maoist party, who will also be a deputy prime minister in charge of the finance ministry. (Reuters)

Nepal's new Prime Minister names core team, seeks reconciliation

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