Don’t call off protests, Bhattarai tells UDMF

Kathmandu, December 25

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who is leading a campaign to form a new force in the country, today urged the leaders of United Democratic Madhesi Front not allow the passage of the constitution amendment bill unless its language was changed to accommodate their concerns.

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Bhattarai said so during an interaction with Madhesi and Janajati leaders. UDMF leaders Mahantha Thakur, Upendra Yadav, Ram Naresh Ray and Manish Kumar Suman had also attended the meeting.

According to Suman, Bhattarai told UDMF leaders that if the constitution amendment bill was passed in its current form, it would not ensure the rights of marginalised communities, including Madhesis and Janajatis.

He suggested to the UDMF not to call off their agitation until the issue of provincial boundaries was settled.

Stating that the major parties were not in favour of addressing the demands of the agitating parties, Bhattarai told the leaders to launch Kathmandu-centric protests in order to mount pressure on the government and the major parties.

According to sources, some participants also urged the agitating UDMF to change the form of its agitation and end blockade at border points.