Preparations are in full swing for convening the historic provincial assemblies in provinces 2, 5, 6 and 7 on Sunday.

Recently elected assembly members have reached the headquarters of the respective provinces to attend the meetings. Officials deployed to the provincial secretariats were busy on Saturday making arrangements for holding the maiden meetings.

Janakpur, the temporary capital of Province 2, has seen a spike in political activities in the past few days. Top leaders of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal and the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, which gained significance with their movement for federalism and the rights of the Madhesi people, are now in Janakpur. They are holding consultations for electing officials to hold provincial posts.

There have been a series of protests and movements in the Tarai, mostly in Province 2, over some provisions of the federal constitution adopted in 2015. More than 120 Madhesis lost their lives in clashes with the security forces. Political leaders and watchers are eagerly waiting for the historic Provincial Assembly (PA) to meet for implementing federalism.

Almost all the assembly members from the eight districts arrived in Janakpur two days ago. Governor Ratneshwor Lal Kayastha has summoned the first PA session at the Educational Training Centre. Banshraj Pandey, joint-secretary at the federal parliament, said that necessary preparations for the first meeting have been over. The first session will be chaired by senior-most lawmaker Laganlal Chaudhary.

In Province 5, lawmakers have reached Butwal, the temporary provincial headquarters, for the meeting. They are eagerly waiting for the meeting where they can raise the voice of the people, especially from their constituencies. Phakaruddin Khan, a PA member from Rupandehi-5 (B), said he has been talking to the people to learn about their aspirations so that he could raise them in the meeting. “We will focus on economic prosperity by safeguarding federalism,” he added.

Our correspondents from Surkhet, the temporary headquarters of Province 6, reported that the PA building in Birendranagar has been set to hold the first session. Secretary Krishna Hari Khadka of the PA secretariat said that all the preparations were completed in a short period of time.

“All the lawmakers have arrived. We have consulted with the senior-most member to conduct the meeting. The session will be held on time,” said Khadka. Provincial chief Durgakeshar Khanal has summoned the first meeting at 1pm on Sunday.

In Dhangadhi, officials remained busy throughout Saturday with the preparations for the assembly in Province 7. “All the preparations, both physical and technical, have been over,” said Murari Mahat, joint-secretary at the provincial secretariat. According to him, senior-most member Dibyashwori Shah will chair the first meeting that will announce election for the Speaker.

(With inputs from local correspondents)