Madheshi Janadhikar Forum, Nepal (MJF)

Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) was formed in 1997 in Biratnagar of Morang district as a non-governmental organisation. It was started by a group of Madheshi academics and students to discuss their concerns and issues and also to promote the Madheshi cause. Upendra Yadav is the chairman of the MJF that has two vice-chairmen - Kishor Bishwas and Bhagyanath Gupta. It was registered with the EC of Nepal ahead of the 2008 constitution assembly election.

Goal

The MJF wants establishment of inclusive, autonomous, federal democratic country, with right to self-determination and proportional representation of citizens of the country in all state organs and complete autonomy of Tarai. Their demands are:

• Federal democratic republic
• Proportional electoral system
• Autonomy to Madhesh region
• End of internal colonization
• Regional autonomous governance system including right to self-determination
• Rights on the land, natural resources and biological diversity of Madhes
• To end racial and regional discrimination
• Provide citizenship certificates to all Madhesis without discrimination

Platform

The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) is a platform for madhesi (Tarai people) and madhes (lowland) issues.

The party says it is for social justice, social empowerment and development of the country.

It believes that if federal system of governance with right to self-determination is established and proportional representation of all people is guaranteed then the country can have inclusive democracy

Summary of Manifesto

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum calls for an autonomous and fully inclusive madhesh state with the right to self-determination.

The party has proposed that an executive president, accountable to the parliament, be elected through direct election by the people. The president shall have the authority to induct people in the cabinet from outside the parliament. President is elected for a five-year term.

It has stressed on people's sovereignty, constitutional supremacy, multiparty democracy, rule of law, total press freedom and civil liberties.

Envisages a bicameral parliament at the center. The house of representative members would be elected through proportional representation system.

The party has proposed three-tier judicial system with the Supreme Court as the apex court and provisional and district courts at the lower levels.

The manifesto states that the executive presidential system with clear defined responsibilities, commitment to constitutional supremacy and accountability to the parliament and an independent judiciary would ensure the balance of power.

It further states that the election for provincial legislatures would be held on the basis of proportional representation system and the executive head of the provincial government will be elected through direct election and will be accountable to provincial legislature.

It says that the provincial government would handle all affairs except issues of central concern like national security, foreign affairs and fiscal matters. The power of central and provincial government will be clearly listed and any move by the central government to intervene will have to be approved by a majority in the parliament.

The Supreme Court will settle any row between the centre and the states and the court will also clear any ambiguity regarding the constitution/laws.

The manifesto proposes referendum to decide on issues of national importance. It also proposes constitutional guarantee of lower riparian rights and mass recruitment of the Madhesi people in Nepal Army.

Manifesto states that the party would end discrimination based on caste, creed, race, and language.