Kathmandu, December 4

Three major parties the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the Unified CPN-Maoist today drafted a three-point proposal to be tabled during the major parties’ talks with the agitating Madhesi parties.

As the United Democratic Madhesi Front refused to sit for talks called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today, citing the government’s use of excessive force against agitators in Sarlahi yesterday, scheduled talks between the major parties and the UDMF did not materialise today.

According to UCPN-M Vice-chairperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the three major parties today decided to begin the process of amending the new constitution through the Constitution Amendment Bill registered by the erstwhile NC-led government regarding proportional inclusion and delineation of election constituencies on the basis of population.

The three-party meeting held in Baluwatar this evening also decided to make a constitutional provision regarding the provincial borders through political consensus and discussion, for which a political committee would be formed to finalise the issue within three months and the agitating parties would be urged to withdraw all their agitation programmes.

Shrestha said he was not aware why UDMF did not join today’s talks even though PM KP Sharma Oli himself invited them for talks.

Co-chairperson of the Sadbhawana Party Laxman Lal Karna claimed that the UDMF did not attend today’s meeting to protest against the use of excessive force that resulted in the death of one protester and injured 13 people.

He, however, said UDMF could sit for talks later if approached by the major parties.

Sadbhawana Party Chairperson Rajendra Mahato said there would be no solution to Tarai unrest if the major parties did not agree to resolve all issues, including the question of provincial boundaries together in a package.

Talking to THT over phone from Malangwa, Mahato said there was no ground for the major parties to argue against two provinces in Madhes.

Mahato said the UDMF’s stance of two provinces in Madhes was based on reports of erstwhile State Restructuring Commission and first CA’s thematic committee.

“These mechanisms had prepared their reports after a lot of deliberation and study. If anybody talks of forming another mechanism, such as a commission or political committee, it means they are trying to put Madhesis at a disadvantage,” Mahato said.

He said there was no rift among the leaders of the UDMF, as the front had officially accepted two provinces in Madhes.

Madhesi leaders to visit New Delhi

KATHMANDU: Sadbhawana Party Chairperson Rajendra Mahato said the chiefs of the constituents of the UDMF were planning to visit New Delhi to apprise the Indian leaders of their concerns.

Mahato claimed leaders of other political parties, particularly the ruling parties, had misled Indian leaders about the Madhes agitation and Madhesi leaders and, therefore, Madhesi leaders thought it was necessary to visit Delhi to clear the doubts of the Indian leaders.

A Madhesi leader said the chiefs of the constituents of UDMF were likely to go to New Delhi on Sunday.