Kathmandu, March 24

Talks between the major parties and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front are in a limbo, as the government seems to be reluctant to resolve the issues of demarcation after the UDMF changed its form of agitation.

Prior to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s China visit, agitating Madhesi parties had handed over an ultimatum to address their concerns by mid-April or face an intensified stir that will include indigenous nationalities.

Unified CPN-Maoist Secretary Barshaman Pun said there were two types of extremists among the parties regarding the demarcation issues one who claim that whatever has been done is final and the other saying everything set must be overturned.

Pun said there were elements who did not want to let the constitution be implemented, therefore UCPN-M had been saying that UDMF should become flexible, along with the major parties, so that UDMF’s concerns about demarcation could be addressed.

CPN-UML Secretary Gokarna Bista said UML was for resolving the issues being raised by agitating parties through dialogue and the leaders had been pressing the government to resolve Madhes crisis soon.

He, however, said the agitating parties should sit for talks showing flexibility.

On the other hand, newly elected Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has announced that the largest party in the Parliament would take the lead in addressing the Madhes concerns.

However, according to Bimalendra Nidhi, NC leaders were still busy with party’s elections, including the one to elect the party’s parliamentary party leader.

Nidhi said as soon as NC was done with its internal matters it would take the initiative to resolve the issues being raised by the Madhesi parties.

He criticised the government for remaining indifferent towards the genuine issues, including revising the demarcation of provinces.

A leader of agitating UDMF said the front had been organising public awareness campaign and preparing for an intensified agitation because the government had taken its decision to lift agitation as a weakness.

“We are always open to resolve issues through dialogue,” he said, adding they would launch agitating throughout the nation with the support of indigenous nationalities.

UDMF leaders meet Ambassador Rae

KATHMANDU: Leaders associated with the United Democratic Madhesi Front on Thursday met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and exchanged Holi greetings.

A leader said the meeting was organised to basically exchange Holi greetings. He said, the Madhesi leaders told Rae that they were awaiting major parties’ response to UDMF demands and if the major parties did not fulfil those demands, the front would be compelled to intensify its stir from mid-April.

UDMF leaders Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra Mahato, Upendra Yadav, Anil Kumar Jha, and Rajkishor Yadav were among the leaders who attended the meeting with the Indian Ambassador.