Federalism: Four Layers Or Three Layers

I got to meet Pradeep Nepal late last month. I asked him about the UML's current thinking on federalism. He said the thought was to have geographic and not ethnic federalism. I pursued my questioning further. He said there was talk of perhaps having 25 districts. After that conversation with him, I modified my proposed map for federalism.

Nepal: Maps

I had a rather pleasat conversation with Nepal. I started by saying two young men came to him with a small video camera to interview him early this year, or perhaps even earlier than that. "I sent them," I said. I also mentioned having read his article in Drishti. He has a regular column there. He was more pleased to hear that than anything else I said. That shows he is first and foremost a writer. During his stump speech, he made a casual reference to our conversation without mentioning my name. He said I had made him feel at home.

Seven Party Delegation

The 25 districts I have drawn are haphazard. The demarcations can be different from what I have suggested. They most likely will. But the basic concept of having 25 districts is a sound one.

I think he further hinted that there will be only three layers. There will be the center, the 25 districts, and then the village/town/city. That made me think. I thought about his proposal for a few days.

Having three layers is simpler than having four layers. And I am all for simplicity. But will those 25 districts have their own parliaments? Will they have their own three branches of government? What will be the share of power between the center and the districts?

My original thinking was, let's have 75 districts, and three states. My current thinking, thanks to Pradeep Nepalji, is let's have three states and 25 districts.

For me the idea of three states is magical.

You become the chairperson of one of the 25 districts before you become the governor of one of the three states. You become a governor of one of the three states before you become president of the entire country. I am not saying that should be the law of the land. No. Not at all. But that is likely what will end up happening in practice.

That way the country will get the best possible president each time. But if you have only 25 districsts and then the center, you will have chief executives who have spent the better part of their careers catering to this or that ethnic group. With the three states, you do not have that problem.

Just take a look at the topograhical map of Nepal. The country has been designed by god to have three states. Look at how the three river basins take shape.

The three states will be similar in many ways. They will be similar geographically. They will be similar in terms of ethnic and cultural diversity. They will have the same diversity challenges that the country as a whole will have. And it is important they compete with each other as to how best to deal with them. All three states will have the Terai, Pahad and Himal in them. All three will have roughly equal resources.

The funny thing is the party that I have historically been close with - the Sadbhavana - is not with me on this one. The last time I talked to Anil Jha, which was earlier this month - he said he wanted the entire Terai as one state. That is not practical. So you create one state that is half the country's population and perhaps 70% of its wealth. What do you do with the rest?

New York City is the most diverse place on earth. And yet there is no civil war going on here. Why? If you can create a good enough political, economic, social infrastructure, diversity is not a problem. It is a blessing, not a curse.

So our emphasis should be on creating that superior political infrastructure. It should not be to make sure ethnic groups stay geographically separate. That separation is not true today, it will be less true tomorrow. People and families move around looking for greener economic pastures. And that is the way it should be. As a Madhesi I am least concerned that more Pahadis and Himalis might move to the Terai down the line. That movement will not dilute the Madhesi cultures as long as the Madhesis have their one person, one vote democracy, they have their language rights, and they are part of a fast growing economy.

Interim Federalism
Federal Republic Guaranteed
Critiquing Pitambar Sharma's Federalism
Pitambar Sharma's Federalism
Federalism: Competing Maps
RPP For Federalism Ahead of UML, NC And NC(D)
My Federalism Is Economic, Scientific, Not Ethnic
Why It Is Important To Me The Congress Takes Up A Federal Republic
UML Inching Towards Federalism
Monarchy, Army, Federalism

Of all the top leaders in Nepal today, the person I have become the closest with since I launched this blog is Madhav Nepal, more so than anyone in the Sadbhavana even. We see eye to eye on many national issues. So I am pleased that not only has his party adopted the idea of a federal republic, it is saying no to ethnic federalism, and yes to sound, geographic federalism.

If you ask me, I think Madhav Nepal is poised to become the first president of Nepal. He is on his way.

Prachanda, Madhav, Devendra
Madhav Nepal
Madhav Nepal Out In Open
Interim President: Madhav Nepal
Phone Talk With Madhav Nepal, Hridayesh Tripathy
Maoist, Moriarty, Madhav, Manmohan: Get Behind The 3 Point Program
Madhav Nepal, Commander Of The Movement
Email From Madhav Kumar Nepal

And now I ask for only one thing. Political parties should not be allowed to raise private funds. Instead they should get state funds in direct proportion to the number of votes they earn during a national election.

Pramukh Dar
Proposed Constitution

अमूर्त संघात्मक राज्य प्रस्ताव

भवानी बराल

गत साउनको अन्तिम साता नेकपा -एमाले) को केन्द्रीय समितिको ११ औं पूर्ण बैठकले संघात्मक राज्य प्रणालीको प्रस्ताव गर्‍यो । लामो समयदेखि एकात्मक राज्यको वकालत गर्दै आएको एमालेले एक्कासि संघात्मक राज्यको प्रस्ताव गरेको अवश्य होइन । एमालेभित्र एकात्मक र संघात्मक राज्य समर्थकबीचको आन्तरिक संघर्ष नेपाली जनताको चाहना, जनजाति तथा आदिवासी आन्दोलनले उठाएको विषयको परिणाम हो यो घोषणा । समग्रमा संसदवादी राजनीतिक दलको एक प्रमुख घटकले संघात्मक राज्य प्रणालीको प्रस्ताव गर्नुमात्र पनि ऐतिहासिक घटना हो । संघात्मक राज्य रचना गर्ने नीतिगत सहमति जनाउनुमात्र पनि राष्ट्रिय राजनीतिक माहोलमा एमालेको १८० डिग्रीको फड्को हो ।

एमालेको अन्तरपार्टी निर्देशनमा जनाएअनुसार- 'राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्नु भनेको नेपाली समाजका विशेषताको आधारमा राज्यको स्वरूप र चरित्रको निर्धारण गर्नु हो' एमालेको यो व्याख्या सुन्दा जति कर्णपि्रय लाग्छ, यसको व्याख्या त्यति नै अमूर्त, जति व्याख्या गर्‍यो त्यति नै अर्थ लाग्ने बहुअर्थी छ । त्यो निर्देशनमा एमालेले नेपाललाई बहुजातीय, बहुभाषिक, बहुधार्मिक, तथा बहुसांस्कृतिक चरित्रको भनी व्याख्या गरेको छ र यो विविधतायुक्त समाजमा राज्यको स्वरूप केन्द्रीकृत नभएर संघात्मक हुनुपर्ने ठहर गरेको छ । तर एमालेले राज्यको स्वरूप प्रादेशिक संघात्मकतामा आधारित हुनुपर्ने ठहर गरेर नेपालको विशिष्टतामा संघात्मक प्रणालीको 'वर्ण शंकर' प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । यस किसिमको प्रादेशिक आधारको संघात्मकताको कुनै अर्थ हुन्न । नेपाली कांग्रेसका केही नेता तथा सद्भावना पार्टीले उठाएको राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाभन्दा सारमा यो प्रस्तावमा केही फरक छैन । नेपाली समाजको विशेषताको आधारमा राज्यको स्वरूप र चरित्र निर्धारण गर्ने एमालेको यो प्रस्ताव यहीँनेर आएर पतन भएको छ ।

एमालेले राज्य पुनर्संरचना गर्नुअघि सारेको यो बुँदाले अझ प्रस्ट पारेको छ । 'नेपाललाई अब जातीय, भाषिक, सांस्कृतिक र प्रादेशिक स्वायत्ततामा आधारित अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न राज्य राष्ट्रका रूपमा विकास गरिनेछ ।' यो के भन्न खोजेको हो ? जातीय, भाषिक र सांस्कृतिक आधारमा संघात्मक राज्य बनाउने प्रस्ताव गरिसकिएपछि 'प्रादेशिक स्वायत्तता, अखण्ड, अविभाज्य स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न राज्य राष्ट्रका रूपमा विकास गरिने' यस्तो भाषा प्रयोग गरिरहनु पछिको रहस्य के

हो ? फेरि यस्तो राज्य राष्ट्र 'स्वशासनको ढाँचामा आधारित हुनेछ ।' भन्ने फुर्को झुन्ड्याउनु पछिको अर्थ के हो ? स्वायत्तता पनि दिने जातीय, भाषिक, सांस्कृतिक आधार पनि हुने, प्रादेशिक आधारको पनि हुने अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र पनि रहने, पुनर्संरचना गर्दा आर्थिक र सामाजिक रूपले पछि परेका समुदायको पहिचान, सहभागिता र पहुँचलाई सुनिश्चित गरिने आदि/ इत्यादि सबै एकै डालोमा हालेको छ । यसरी एमालेले राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाको खिचडी पकाएको छ । राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्ने एमालेले दुनियाभरिका आधारहरूलाई एकै ठाउँमा घोलघाल गरेको छ । अर्थात् नेपाली समाजको विशिष्टताको आधारमा राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्ने आधार तय नगरेकाले यो यथास्थितिको दस्ताबेजमात्रै हो । यस्तो छारस्ट आधारबाट राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्दा अग्रगामी हुनै सक्दैन । अर्को स्वायत्तता, स्वशासनजस्ता शब्दावलीलाई एकै ठाउँमा प्रयोग गर्नु अर्थपूर्ण छैन । प्रादेशिक संघात्मकतामा जातीय भाषिक र सांस्कृतिक स्वायत्तता कसरी सम्भव हुन्छ ? प्रादेशिक भनेको त्यो भौगोलिक वा भूगोलसँग सम्बन्धित क्षेत्रीय आधारमात्रै हो । अर्को संघात्मक स्वरूपमा अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न आदि शब्दावली कसका निम्ति प्रयोग गरिएका हुन् प्रस्ट छैन । संघात्मक स्वरूपका स-साना स्वायत्त प्रदेशहरू अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न हुने कि पूरै देश ? सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न भनेर किटान गरिसकेपछि अखण्ड, अविभाज्य कुन तुकमा आएका शब्द हुन् ? स्वतन्त्र शब्द के अर्थ बुझाउन आएको हो ? यी सबै विशेषण भिराउँदा कस्तो खालको संघात्मक राज्य रचना हुन्छ ? शायद एमालेले यस्तो 'उँट' रूपी संघात्मकताको सपना बाँडेको छ । कुन प्रकारको संघात्मकता हो भन्ने यकिन हुन नसकेपछि यस्तो अमूर्त संघात्मक प्रणालीको पनि केही अर्थ रहन्न ।

एमालेले भौगोलिक अवस्थिति, जनसंख्या र जातिगत बसोबासको अवस्था, मातृभाषा र भाषा प्रयोगको अवस्था, सांस्कृतिक सम्मिलनको विशिष्ट अवस्था, प्रशासनिक सुगमता, आर्थिक अन्तर सम्बन्ध र ऐतिहासिकतालाई आधार मान्दै नयाँ राजनीतिक प्रशासनिक इकाई विभाजन गर्नुपर्ने जनाएको छ । एमालेले उठाएको यी भद्रगोल आधारहरूले संघात्मक राज्य हुनै नसक्ने घुमाउरो तर्क अघि सारेको प्रतीत हुन्छ । तपशीलका कुराहरूलाई मुख्य र विशिष्ट आधारहरूलाई गौण बनाएकाले एमालेद्वारा प्रस्तावित संघात्मक स्वरूप नेपाली जनताको निम्ति हात्तीका देखाउने दाँत हुन्, चपाउने दाँत अर्कै छ । संघीय प्रदेशको नामाकरण गर्दा र राजनीतिक तथा प्रशासनिक केन्द्र निर्धारण गर्दा ऐतिहासिकताको पक्षलाई ख्याल गर्नेजस्ता कुराहरूसमेत उल्लेख गर्न भ्याएको एमालेको राज्य पुनर्संरचनासम्बन्धी प्रस्ताव भुइँमै अलमलिएको छ । एमालेले कुन आधारबाट राज्यको पुनसर्ंरचना गर्ने हो ? ठोसरूपमा त्यही नै खुट्याउन सकेको देखिँदैन । यस्तो लाग्छ जसका मुखबाट जे-जे आधारबाट राज्य पुनसर्ंरचना गर्ने हो भन्ने निस्कन्छ ती सबै आधारबाट गर्ने सतही प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । प्रस्ट रूपमा राज्यको पुनर्संरचना जातीय, भाषिक, क्षेत्रीय, भौगोलिक के आधारबाट गर्ने भन्नेमा नै प्रस्ताव मौन छ । कसका निम्ति राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्ने कुरै खुलेको छैन भने राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाको अर्थ के हुन्छ ?

'आदिवासी जनजातिहरूलाई आफ्नो राजनीतिक अधिकार सुनिश्चित गर्न तथा आर्थिक, सामाजिक र सांस्कृतिक विकास गर्नसक्ने गरी आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार हुनेछ' भनी प्रस्ताव त गरेको छ तर जातीय आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार भन्नै सकेको छैन । आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार नभनी अग्रगामी नभइने हिसाबले मात्र यो शब्द प्रस्तावमा प्रयोग भएको छ । संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले प्रयोग गर्दै आएको अमूर्त 'आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार' नेपालका आदिवासी जनजातिले खोजेका होइनन् । 'जातीय आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार' प्रस्ताव गर्न कन्जुस्याइँ गर्नुले आदिवासी जनजातिको अधिकार सुनिश्चित गर्छ भन्न कदापि सकिन्न । जातीय आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकारलाई एमालेले यहीँनेर आएर असान्दर्भिक ठानेको छ ।

यसर्थ एमालेले जातीय, क्षेत्रीय, आर्थिक जे आधारबाट प्रान्तहरू गठन गरेर राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गरे पनि त्यसको औचित्य पुष्टि हुँदैन । यसमानेमा एमालेको राज्य पुनसर्ंरचना घुमाउरो पाराले जातीय आधारमा राज्य रचना नगर्ने भनेकै हो । अर्को युरोपको राष्ट्रिय राज्यको अवधारणामा जानु उचित नहुने प्रस्ताव गरेकाले पनि एमालेले जातीय आधारलाई राज्य पुनर्संरचनाको आधार नबनाएको प्रस्ट हुन्छ । नेपालको भू-राजनीतिक परिस्थितिले साना-साना टुक्रामा विभाजित गर्न नहुने प्रस्ताव गर्दै भौगोलिक आधारलाई मात्र राज्य पुनसर्ंरचनाको आधार लिएको प्रस्ट हुन्छ । भारतको प्रभुत्ववादी दृष्टिकोणसँग डराउँदै उसले जातीय र साना राज्य रचनालाई निषेध गरेको छ ।

एमालेले थुप्रै ढाट तेस्र्याएर संघात्मक राज्य संरचनामा जटिलता थपेको छ । यो सामन्तवादी एकात्मक राज्य संरचना विघटन गर्न नहुने घुमाउरो तर्क हो । यस्ता तर्कले राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाको बाटो सोझ्याउँदैन । एमालेले संघीय राज्य संरचनाको सस्तो लोकपि्रयतालाई नगदीकरण गर्न गरेको यो फोस्रो प्रस्ताव हो । यो प्रस्तावको गम्भीरता चुनाबी घोषणापत्र जत्तिको पनि छैन ।

-बराल ँयस्तो हुनुपर्छ राज्यको संरचना’ पुस्तकका लेखक हुन् ।

Girija: A Ceremonial Monarch Wannabe

Girija Koirala is against the idea of a republic. He is a conservative. He is a status quoist. After having spent months under house arrest after the king's coup, he was still not for a constituent assembly. He is not exactly known for his intellectual curiosities.

But in a democracy, he has a right to whatever political views. The problem is he has not been following democtatic norms inside his own party on this question. Where is the debate in his party's central committee on this question?

Ram Chandra Poudel is a staunch republican. Poudel is the most likely successor to Koirala in the Koirala faction of the Congress.

The Deuba Congress is already for a federal republic. The most obvious casualty of Koirala's republican stance is any possibility that the two Congress factions will become one. And that is the way it should be.

It is not healthy for Nepal's democracy for the two Congress factions to unify. It is Koirala's autocratic ways that split the Congress in the first place. He has not changed one bit.

Girija Koirala should retire. He is past retirement age.

Or the second generation in his party should come forth and revolt. That revolt will make it possible for the two factions to unify.

The two Congress factions should unfiy around the slogan of a federal republic.

I smell foul play. I smell money. It is entirely possible the monarchists are pumping money into this talk of republic or not. Koirala is in need of opaque eletion money. It is with that money that he buys the blind loyalty of his MPs. If you go against Koirala, you might not get a ticket to contest elections. Or you might not get plentiful election money.

I am worried about Congress money. I am worried about Maoist money.

There is a need to put a strong provision in the interim constitution to make all party finances transparent. That is as important as arms management.

Girija's Options

The Nepali Congress, as two factions or as one party, may go for a ceremonial monarchy. But that decision is going to have to be taken by a party convention. Anything else is illegitimate.

That party's last convention said it is now neutral on the monarchy question. What that means is that party may not go for a ceremonial monarchy. To go for a ceremonial monarchy is not to be neutral on the monarchy question. Not even Girija Koirala is above the party. He may not go against what is his party's number one decision during its last convention.

Girija Can Not Claim Credit For The April Revolution

A democratic republic is the clear mandate of the April Revolution. Girija does not get it. How can he claim any credit for the April Revolution?

Girija Koirala is the ceremonial monarch born out of the April Revolution. He acts like a monarch inside his party. His solo utterances in Biratnagar are party policy. Party policy does not get decided through discussions in the central committee. This is unfortunate. This can not be tolerated.

In The News

Maoists to go ahead with Republican Front plan despite Koirala's rejection NepalNews Koirala's assertion that his party "will not be a part of any Front for Republic" ..... Dev Gurung –a member of Maoist talks team – said that such a front is necessary to overthrow monarchy. .... Nepali Congress (Democratic) has also disagreed to join such front. ..... The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) has not given its official viewpoint about the front idea. "We have not demanded for such a front but we are not opposed to it also," said Jhal Nath Khanal ....... Deputy Prime Minister and president of People's Front Nepal (PFN) Amik Sherchan had recently urged PM Koirala to lead such a republican front. ..... Koirala had said that since NC is a democratic party, it will go to the elections of Constituent Assembly with a separate manifesto ..... Maoists have been saying that they would be willing to show maximum flexibility in the management of their arms and armies if the Seven Party Alliance (SPA), including NC, agrees to join a united republican front to establish republic through the CA or referendum. Senior Maoist leaders have gone on record saying that they would accept making Koirala even the first president of the country.
Government ready to talk with JTMM Hridayesh Tripathy, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, has said that the government has no qualms for holding dialogue with the JTMM. Talking to journalists in Dhobidhara of Saptari, he, however, said that since there were two factions of JTMM, the government is still unclear about how to go about with the peace talks with them. ..... Tripathy's comments came in response to offer for peace talks made by Jai Krishna Goit-led JTMM. Recently, Jwala Singh had floated a separate faction of JTMM. Both are active in Siraha and Saptari district. ....
PM says NC not for republic Koirala has said the Nepali Congress would not be part of the broader republican alliance including the Maoists, which many members of the current Seven Party Alliance have been stressing on. .... Koirala said Nepali Congress, principally, does not believe in republic Nepal. ..... "Republic is not the agenda and policy of the Nepali Congress and it will not be involved in such fronts at any cost," he said. ... He also said unification between the Nepali Congress and Nepali Congress (Democratic) will be completed before the elections to the constituent assembly and the unified congress will have the same agenda during the polls .......
People start retaliating Maoist excesses; seven injured Irate by the continuous excesses of the Maoists, local people of Sarlahi vandalized two barriers at Ranijung area of the district put by the Maoists for collecting taxes from the vehicles plying at the street. ..... The locals also warned Maoists not to collect any form of taxes in the area and also warned of dire consequences if they did not obey. ..... villagers protesting the Maoist atrocities clashed with the Maoists in eastern Jhapa district ..... Three locals and four Maoists were injured, when a group of 15 Maoists attacked locals, who were protesting against Maoist excesses ..... local people of Situwa bazaar of Dhankuta district organized Situwa bazaar bandh (Shut-down) and also blocked the Koshi highway protesting the Maoist excesses.
Policemen and Maoists engage in minor scuffle; Maoists impose traffic blockade this morning
PM Koirala confident about success of peace talks, says it takes time
Nepal's position improved in press freedom index; stands at 159th position
Breaking Deadlock on Arms Management the government and the Maoists want CA elections for different reasons: the government with an aim to disarm the Maoists and resolve the Maoist insurgency problem, whereas, the Maoists with an aim to establish a republic Nepal. ..... Koirala is plotting a so-called “grand design” to maintain the status quo by saving Nepal’s monarchy ..... the Maoists cannot be a part of Nepal’s government so long as the Maoist Party has a separate military wing. ....... Given its long tradition of loyalty to the monarchy, it is a wishful thinking to believe that Nepal Army is now fully under the control of current civilian government. ..... “We are not ready to lay down arms unless a democratic army is formed. The effort to make us lay down arms unilaterally will only derail the peace process.” ....... the UN cannot do much unless both the SPA and the Maoists agree on the modality of arms management. ...... (1) downsize Nepal Army by providing a package for retirement for those who have served more than 15 years or more; (2) Hold the army fully accountable by taking strong actions against those who have been involved in gross human rights violations including disappearance and torture; and (3) Commit fully to implement the findings of the Rayamajhi Commission and punish those to be found guilty of unlawful killings during the April protests. ......... (1) Create a new ministry to oversee the Maoist Army and their expenditure. During the interim period, assign this ministry to a leader from the Maoist Party; (2) Put both Nepal Army and the Maoist Army under the control of National Security Council chaired by the Prime Minister but the Council’s decision should be approved by the interim parliament; (3) Agree that the Security Council will serve as the integrated headquarter of both armies. With the help of UN experts, the Council will develop a plan for merging two armies within next four months or so and the plan will have to be approved by the cabinet and the parliament. The merging will start immediately after the CA elections; and (4) Agree that the access to the arms and armies, will be limited to the UN representatives and the Security Council

Lasting peace to be established in Nepal: PM People's Daily Online, China
Nepal urges all not to favour monarchy Kantipur Online, Nepal Nepal’s remarks have come at a time when Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is saying that his party wouldn’t favour republican setup in the upcoming election to the constituent assembly ......
Maoist Leader Sees NC, NC (D) as Most Regressive Himalayan Times The five left parties are ready to go for a democratic republic with a federal system and ethnic autonomy, the CPN-UML is still unclear and the democrats are still not convinced about doing away with the monarchy ...... the two parties also will have to go for a republic as most of their cadres now support the republican thoughts. ..... "If 'surrenderism' continues, the third round of people's movement will follow. Nobody, not even the army, will be able to prevent another revolution from taking place" ....... We are ready even to lock up 40 per cent of our arms if the government locks 25 per cent of arms belonging to the army ...... So long as the monarchy exists in any form, there is a threat to the seven-party government of a royal coup. ...... "The Newars have contributed for thousands of years to make Nepal a civilised country but still they are not in the state, they have to live like internal refugees." ..... Damannath Dhungana, urged all the parties favouring referendum on monarchy to think over it twice because it would only make the regressive forces active. ...... Chairperson of the Manka Khala Padma Ratna Tuladhar demanded that, like other historic announcements, the House or Representatives declare Nepal Sambat the national calendar.
Nepal Army Reiterates Loyalty to Government Nepal human Rights News, Nepal
Five Hurt as Leftover Bomb Explodes in West Nepal Nepal human Rights News, Nepal
Maoists halt vehicular movement in Nepal capital Zee News, India
Two-Hour Strike Hinders Life in Nepal OhmyNews International, South Korea

‘Goit ordered me to bomb Kantipur office’ Kantipur Jyoti Jha, Morang district coordinator of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM), Monday disclosed that Jaykrishna Goit, the central coordinator of JTMM, had ordered him to bomb the eastern regional office building of the Kantipur Publications in Biratnagar in broad daylight. ...... Goit had called Jha to Birpur of India and instructed him to carry out the plan, which, according to Jha, was in retaliation for the publication not covering JTMM's activities but only publishing "false" news about the Morcha. ...... Jha, whom Maoists had taken into control some three weeks ago from Kankalini temple at Bhardaha in Saptari district, revealed details of the plan while talking to journalists at a press meet held inside a Maoist security post at Bharadaha. ..... Goit had pressurized him to do so arguing that such actions would create propaganda and make the Morcha famous among the masses. He also stated he was detained while trying to carry out the plan. ...... Jha also revealed that the JTMM had no plan to murder MP Krishnacharan Shrestha. "However, issuing a statement, Goit falsely owned up to killing Shrestha claiming that it (taking responsibility for the killing of someone renowned) would add to the popularity of the party among the Madhesi communities," Jha said. He further maintained that JTMM cadres had no hand in the killing.