Kathmandu, July 3 -- A proposal by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to abolish provincial assemblies has triggered strong backlash from Madhesh-based parties, who say the move threatens federalism. The parties have demanded clarification from the ruling party and the government.

Parties that spearheaded federalism movements in the Tarai-Madhesh region have called on the RSP to withdraw its proposal to abolish provincial assemblies. They warned they would oppose any move by the government to formalise such a proposal. Three Madhesh-based parties-the Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal, Janamat Party and Nagarik Unmukti Party-said they support restructuring provinces in principle, but maintained that scrapping provincial assemblies would weaken...