April 24, Kathmandu- The proposal of the capital of Province 2 has been discussed in the meeting of the Provincial Assembly on Friday. In the meeting, the proposer had put forward his arguments on six proposals registered for the state capital.

The ruling People Socialist Party, CPN-Maoist Center, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress have proposed Janakpurdham as the party's capital. Congress MP Rajeshwar Prasad Sah and Jaspa MP Simhasan Sah Kalwar have personally proposed to make Birgunj the capital.

During the meeting, Congress parliamentary party whip Upendra Kushwaha said that Janakpur would be suitable for the capital in terms of transportation, physical infrastructure and religion. After convening the state assembly, Congress MP Naresh Yadav said that all parties should at least discuss and come up with a joint resolution. He said that separate proposals had to be registered as the government did not create an environment for discussion. PSP MP Parmeshwar Shah unofficially urged to pass his resolution as everyone has accepted Janakpur as the state capital.

Leader of the UCPN (M) Central Parliamentary Party Bharat Prasad Sah argued that Janakpur should be made the capital as it is the mother of federalism and the centre of the Madhes rights movement. UCPN (M) Center MP Dilip Sah demanded that Janakpur be passed unanimously as there was no dispute over making it the capital. UML parliamentary party leader Shatrughan Mahato said that Janakpur should be passed unanimously even though the capital could not be passed in the past due to technical reasons. PSP MP Simhasan Shah Kalwar claimed that Birgunj was suitable for the capital. Claiming that Birgunj is suitable in all respects including the infrastructure and transportation required for the capital, he suggested developing Janakpur as a religious and tourist destination. MP Karima Begum stressed the need to make Birgunj the capital as it is a business hub.

The meeting has been adjourned till April 25, giving time to amend the state capital proposal after the discussion was not concluded. The discussion on naming the state was removed from the agenda after the discussion in the capital took time. The ruling JSP and the opposition UCPN (Maoist) have registered a proposal to rename Madhes, while the Nepali Congress has proposed Mithila Bhojpura and the UML has proposed Janaki. UML MP Shardadevi Thapa has registered a proposal to name the state Janak and Congress' Rajeshwar Prasad Sah has registered a proposal to keep Madhyam Madhes. The Secretariat of the Provincial Assembly had issued the notice calling for the name of the province and the proposal of the capital from 2 to 9 April.