KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has stated that if the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has proposed to dissolve the provincial assemblies through its general convention—thereby weakening federalism—it would be a serious mistake.

Taking to the social media platform Facebook on Thursday, he warned that such a move could escalate political, ethnic, and regional tensions in the country.

Bhattarai pointed out that while a task force has been formed under the government’s leadership to prepare a discussion paper on constitutional amendment, if any single party attempts to force its decision upon other parties and communities, it could create a severe crisis of trust among political parties, various ethnic groups, and the general public.

He warned that in a country like Nepal, which possesses immense ethnic, national, and regional diversity, any attempt to weaken or dismantle the federal system—established on the basis of broad consensus through an elected Constituent Assembly after long struggle and sacrifice—could trigger serious ethnic and regional conflicts.

Emphasizing that maximum national consensus is required on a sensitive issue like constitutional amendment, the former Prime Minister suggested that political parties focus on governance and development until an adequate consensus is reached.

“Instead of looking for unnecessary trouble, it would be wiser to quietly focus on good governance and development until a broad national consensus is formed regarding constitutional amendment,” he said.