Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav has warned the country could face a serious crisis if a referendum is held only in the five disputed districts—Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari in the East and Kailali and Kanchanpur in the West.

Yadav was responding to calls from senior Nepali Congress and UML leaders to hold a referendum on the disputed districts for redrawing the boundaries of the federal province.

 “The referendum will not help resolve the current problem. The problem is not about the five districts but is about a few leaders whose constituencies lie in the districts,” said Yadav, during an interaction in the Capital on Tuesday. “If referendum is to be held on realignment of the disputed districts, are leaders of major parties ready to hold referendum on federalism, republicanism and inclusion?” he questioned.