The Socialist Front, an alliance of left-leaning parties, on Wednesday, concluded that the government should prioritise the implementation of federalism.

Leaders from the CPN (Moist Centre), the Janata Samajbadi Party, the CPN (Unified Socialist) and the Netra Bikram Chand-led Nepal Communist Party suggested the government bring an ordinance, if necessary, to remove legal obstacles to the implementation of federalism.

Janata Samajbadi Party leader Rajendra Shrestha said the meeting held at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar stressed on implementing federalism.

Shrestha said they agreed that the government should take the lead and stand firmly to implement federalism.

“The schedule of the constitution has listed the rights of the federal, provincial and local governments. Failing to implement it is a weakness on the part of the federal government. Not entrusting rights to the provinces has sent out a message that provinces are a burden on state coffers,” said Shrestha. “We suggested to the government to implement the provision even by bringing an ordinance.”

Provincial governments have demanded the federal government hand over requisite power and authority to them.

On December 6, the Madhesh Provincial Assembly unanimously endorsed a resolution motion registered by the CPN-UML which says that provinces should be allowed to exercise all the authorities delegated to them by Schedule 6 of the Constitution of Nepal.

On November 9, a team of all-party representatives from Madhesh Province issued a 30-day ultimatum to Prime Minister Dahal to address their six-point demand, warning of a protest if Kathmandu took no urgent steps to fully implement constitutional provisions for the smooth functioning of provinces.

The other six provinces also have joined hands with Madhesh to assert their constitutional rights.

Similarly, Shrestha said they discussed forming the district coordination committee of the front and holding programmes in major cities in support of federalism, republicanism and secularism.