Nepal, June 16 -- Upendra Yadav, chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, led the Madhesh uprising in 2007 that eventually heralded a federal Nepal. The new system however has been facing growing criticism, with the seven provinces taking the most flak. The Post's Thira Lal Bhusal talked to former deputy prime minister Yadav on how he sees the provinces and their prospects.

To begin with, tell us what is the status of identity and regional politics in the country?

Nepal has always been a place of diversity, composed of multiple religions, ethnicities, cultures, languages and costumes, among other things. Different civilisations have been in the country since ancient times, for instance the Kirat civilisation in the eastern hills; Mithi...