KATHMANDU: After the completion of the local elections, the government is preparing to announce the date of the federal elections. 

Likewise, the government has withdrawn the previously introduced Citizenship Bill and passed it with amendments. 

The ruling coalition is on one side, while the opposition party UML is on the other on various issues.

Khabarhub’s Chandrakanta Neupane talked to Chitra Bahadur KC, Chairman of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal, a ruling partner, on various issues, including government functioning, latest political events, and current affairs. Excerpts:

What is our observation about the endorsement of the Citizenship Bill by the House of Representatives?

The Citizenship Bill has been endorsed without proper deliberation. It was a highly controversial topic for over six decades.

Due to the open border with the neighboring country India, a significant number of people have entered Nepal. 

There has been an attack on Nepal’s geography. There has been continuous encroachment in Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and other areas. 

And I believe, this is being done in a planned manner to marginalize the Nepalis from the size of the population and bring the Indians to the majority in Nepal.

In Nepal, this technique of using citizenship as a weapon and staying in power with India’s blessings is a deadly technique after the 2007 BS. 

Our party – Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal, suggested dozens of amendments even in the Constitution-making process. 

Even now, the Indian supporters of Nepal are blindly supporting the activities that are being done with the plan of merging Nepal with India in a peaceful way by making a large number of Indians enter Nepal by loosening their citizenship. 

That is why the National People’s Front is constantly struggling.

What is the issue that you are opposing? Are you saying that the Citizenship Bill should not have come?

I never said the Citizenship Bill should not have come. My concern is the state should not make any citizen stateless. 

During the anti-panchayat movement in 1935/1936 BS, the then Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa provided citizenship to millions of Indians on the condition that they vote in favor of the party-less Panchayat system. 

Nepali Congress continued the work done by Thapa even after the establishment of a multi-party system.

It is clear that the CPN-UML, Maoist Center, Nepali Congress, and other parties have been advocating for Indians by taking money from India.

There is no objection to giving citizenship to citizens who were born in Nepal and whose parents are in Nepal. 

Our objection is since India’s plan is to make an Indian origin the head of state, head of parliament, and head of judiciary by giving citizenship to Indians based on descent, we have raised our voices.

Hen Madhesi people are happy, why are you raising questions?

Our problem does not lie with the Madhesi people.

There is a tendency for Nepal’s leaders to stay in power by pleasing India and the United States.

Unfortunately, the Nepalese citizens continue to promote such traitors. The tendency of Indian landlords coming from India to get Nepalese citizenship and become parliamentarians and ministers in Nepal is increasing lately.

India is now planning to take it forward by giving citizenship on the basis of descent.

In order to accomplish that plan, the political parties of Nepal are shamelessly trying to get the help and blessings of the Indian rulers by endorsing such a citizenship bill. 

Do the leaders of all political parties have different views on the Citizenship Bill?

To tell you the truth, there should not have been any difference among the political parties on the issue. Apart from the Rastriya Janamorcha Party and the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, no party in the Parliament has said that citizenship should not be given to foreigners. 

Why is the issue of citizenship only brought on the eve of the election?

What has to be understood is that Nepali political leaders want to get blessings from India to win the elections.

It has come to the fore that some landlords of Madesh, who also have Indian citizenship, are Nepali lawmakers.

Those of the hilly origin Nepali citizens remain in power by making policies according to the wishes of Indian rulers and implementing them. 

During the Panchayat period, when I was opposing the king’s rule, people branded me a foreign agent.

In 2074 BS, we collaborated with Prachanda and KP Oli. However, Sher Bahadur Deuba called me to Baluwatar and sought my cooperation.

How will you proceed in the next election?

If all leaders agree on a similar agenda, then all political parties would have become united.

We have absolutely no trust that Sher Bahadur Deuba would protect the country’s nationality, sovereignty, and integrity. 

We also do not believe that Oli would protect the country’s nationality, sovereignty and integrity as all these leaders were involved in endorsing the Mahakali Treaty. 

Therefore, all political parties came together to make Deuba the Prime Minister mainly to save the parliament.

The elections to the House of Representatives and Provincial elections have not been held.

So far, the alliance formed against regression has remained intact. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.

What is your view on the Socialist Center?

The CPN-UML is not opposed to federalism. It never supported us. Billions of rupees have been spent under the guise of federalism. 

Even Nepali people have started demanding the abolition of federalism. 

The plan of Europeans is to destroy Nepal by inciting ethnic disturbances.

Indians believe that federalism is needed in Nepal to separate Madhesh.

Prachanda, Oli and Deuba are comparatively nationalists?

To tell you the truth, no one, in particular, is a nationalist.