It is not because of a lack of political opportunities that we are forming these regional parties. We already hold positions in political parties, as MPs and as members of the government. But the political parties were unable to address the concerns of the madhesi people. I resigned from my post as minister during the madhes uprising. It was only after 54 MPs and ministers took out a press release that the concerns of the madhes started to be addressed. But there hasn't been as much progress even after the sacrifices we made.

The madhes uprising put forward three arguments. One, the madhes is united in its fight for self-respect. Two, the madhes is a part of Nepal. And third, even if madhesi ministers may not take part in the struggle the people are ready to fight. The people are leading the politicians.

Our madhes uprising stopped parliamentary sessions for a month and four days. It was then that the need for a strong political pressure group was realised. Also, it was then that the presence of armed military groups in the tarai was felt. Some had a political agenda while some did not. This made the problem worse, but even in a situation like this, the three big political parties were unwilling to address it jointly.

After we planned to start up a new party, the prime minister, just like every other South Asian politician, labelled us \'foreign instigated'. Prachanda shocked us by threatening to deploy both the Nepal Army and the Maoists fighters against us because there are no madhesis in both the armies. We want to solve everything through political means but are in no position to trust the state or parties.

This country is ours, but the nation isn't. This feeling permeates all the madhesis, janajatis, indigenous people and women. That is why they are asking to be included in the government. What we want is for the entire madhes to be made autonomous.

We are clear on the issue of a republic. We have fought for a democracy but we believe in peaceful politics. We will soon make clear our expectations from the armed groups, seven political parties and the Maoists. It is not our intention to weaken any political party, rather we just want to make the madhes strong.