What we need in this country is not federalism but genuine devolution and decentralisation. Federalism is just not necessary. Yet some politicians are using ethnic politics to propel themselves to power. Ruling parties are giving into anything to remain in power, even ethnic divisions in the army. The silent majority in this country is against federalism. People in the army, police, Congress, Maoists, UML, civil society and media have all understood this, but for various reasons have not been able to articulate it.

Even without a new constitution there is a conspiracy to carve the country into ethnic provinces. If this plotting of the country is not halted, Nepal will not remain a nation state. Yugoslavia used to be a strong united country, however after it was split into ethnic territories it ceased to exist. Nepal has already been psychologically divided. There are 103 ethnic groups in Nepal, and only the future will tell how many provinces we will have.