Kathmandu, February 13

Chair of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato today said that if the government and the major parties did not address the Madhes movement, the United Democratic Madhesi Front would create a storm of protest in April and May.

Addressing an interaction organised by Reporters Club here today, Mahato said the UDMF had suspended extreme forms of protest and if the government and major forces did not utilise the current lull to address the Madhes movement, the agitating forces would create a storm of protest in April and May.

Mahato also said that if Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli visited India without addressing the ongoing Madhes movement, his visit would not be a successful event.

Stating that Indian people had supported Madhes movement, the Madhesi leaders said PM Oli’s visit would succeed only if he addressed the Madhes movement before embarking on India visit.

“Our Prime Minister will receive goodwill of Indian people only if he indicates that he is willing to address Madhes movement,” Mahato said.

The Madhesi leader also said that whipping up anti-India sentiment in Nepal would not serve the interests of the nation.

“China’s support to Nepal is a positive thing nobody should take it negatively,” he added. Mahato said the terms of reference for a political mechanism to be formed to revise the provincial boundaries should clearly state what the mechanism would do. He said he was in favour of having two provinces in Madhes.

“At this stage, I have a doubts whether the major parties’ talk of forming a political mechanism to settle the boundary question is just an attempt to hatch a conspiracy against the agitating forces,” Mahato added.

He said the major parties should not use negotiation as a strategy to tire out the protesters.

“We will continue to fight till we achieve our goals and for the time we are conserving our energy. “It is not that Madhesi people or parties are fatigued, or they have been defeated,” Mahato said and added that the expansion of the UDMF yesterday was a beginning of its effort to conserve its energy. Mahato said the UDMF was also likely to induct other forces into it and in the next phase even those forces that do not have representation in the Parliament could be inducted. He said parties that champion the cause of Tharu community were also likely to be inducted into UDMF next time.

Mahato also urged the Madhesi and Janajati lawmakers of the major parties to assist the ongoing agitation.

Mahato said the blockade of the Birgunj-Raxaul border entry point could not generate enough pressure on the government and that was the reason he said a few days ago that the UDMF should either blockade all the border entry point or let all the border entry points open. He said he had not faced any action by the UDMF for making such remarks.