Janakpurdham, Jan. 19 -- Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and its declared prime ministerial candidate, Balendra Shah (Balen), has said federalism can only be strengthened by empowering provincial structures.

Addressing an RSP programme in Janakpur on Monday, Shah said provinces must be made strong enough to end the need to travel to Kathmandu to seek power. "Kathmandu should not be a place to demand rights; it should be a place to visit Pashupati and Swayambhunath," he said, adding that provinces would remain weak so long as even administrative changes require approval from the capital.

Shah urged voters to support the RSP not on the basis of identity but competence. "Vote for RSP not because a Madhesi's son is becom...