FA postpones protests

Kathmandu, May 22

The Federal Alliance today postponed its meeting till Wednesday, as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal told them not to announce protest programmes at least until tomorrow.

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal leader Manish Kumar Suman told THT that FA leaders decided to give the prime minister until tomorrow, as the FA believed in negotiated settlement of issues.

“We cannot escape the dialogue,” he said and added that although the FA had little hope that the PM would do anything substantial to meet demands of the agitating forces, the FA decided to defer its decision till Wednesday.

“If the government fails to meet our demands by tomorrow, we may announce protests on Wednesday in all probability,” Suman added.

According to him, FA Coordinator Mahantha Thakur briefed the meeting about his discussion with the ruling parties in the last few days and how the ruling parties responded to their demands.

Janajati leaders of the FA emphasised on the need to hold protests against the second phase of local polls.

The FA has been saying it will disrupt the second phase of local polls if a revised constitution amendment bill is not passed and the number of local levels is not increased in the Tarai districts to address demands of agitating forces.

Suman said the FA would most likely announce protests on Thursday. “We don’t think the government will address our demands,” Suman added. He said RJP-N leader Rajendra Mahato today received a call from Federal Socialist Forum Chair Upendra Yadav. According to Suman, Yadav told Mahato that they should collaborate in their struggle to win rights for marginalised communities.