KATHMANDU: At a Kathmandu policy dialogue organized by the Federalism and Localization Center, cross-party political leaders, MPs, and stakeholders strongly advocated for strengthening Nepal’s provincial structures.

Prominent leaders—including Krishna Prasad Sitaula (Nepali Congress), Dev Gurung (Nepali Communist Party), Upendra Yadav (Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal), and C.K. Raut (Janamat Party)—warned that losing federalism would directly endanger inclusion, democracy, and the constitution itself.

The participants emphasized that any future constitutional amendments must be driven by implementation evidence, institutional accountability, and broad consensus rather than mere political numbers or convenience.

They cautioned that reviving settled debates on core pillars like federalism risks opening a dangerous “Pandora’s box,” and urged the state to focus on enhancing the institutional capacity of provinces to ensure effective power decentralization.