Three major parties busy with negotiations

The Big III need to first find a common view before they negotiate with the agitating parties

Kathmandu, November 28

Leaders of three major political parties Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Unified CPN-Maoist have intensified consultations to find a point of compromise to resolve the crisis arising from the Madhes agitation before holding formal talks with the agitating Madhes-based parties.

Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held one-on-one meeting at Koirala’s residence in Maharajgunj for around an hour, according to sources close to Koirala.

CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also held separate consultations at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar this evening.

According to Dahal’s personal secretary Chudamani Khadka, Dahal urged Koirala not to cling to the proposal that the agitating Madhesi parties have rejected. Dahal urged him to resolve the problem in a package, including the issue of demarcation of the border of provinces, as endorsing only the two issues wouldn’t give any way out.

However, Khadka said Koirala insisted on endorsing the proposals of the NC through Parliament before discussing the demarcation of provinces.

During his meeting with PM Oli, Dahal urged him to be serious about resolving the problem through both diplomatic channels and by seeking alternatives for ensuring essential supplies, Khadka said.

He further said Dahal has also urged the PM to hold tripartite meeting involving the ruling coalition, opposition parties and the agitating parties right away to seek a solution to the existing problem. He said the prime minister was positive about Dahal’s proposal and had told him that he would hold a tripartite meeting very soon.

“NC President Koirala yesterday urged leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front to create conducive environment for formal talks and come to the negotiation table with a positive mind. He said he would work to create a conducive environment among the three parties with regard to addressing their concerns.

Today’s talks with Dahal revolved aroundthis point,” said NC spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu.

Koirala is also preparing to hold consultations with CPN-UML leaders and the three parties will sit with the agitating Madhes-based parties after they reach a tentative understanding on how to resolve the problems, Badu said.

As the issue of boundaries of federal units is sensitive, it is a matter of reaching common view in advance and holding talks with UDMF accordingly, Badu said, adding, “After the three parties agree on a view on how to resolve the problem, the real solution can be found in the course of negotiations.”

Badu said a solution was possible through talks.

“We hope the agitating parties will not stick to their stances on the issue of boundaries as this is a very sensitive issue and we will also try to find a common point. The point of compromise can evolve in the course of talks,” he said.

Although the agitating parties had urged the three major parties one week ago to come up with common views on their agendas, the three parties have not yet found a common stance but are engaged in consultations.

The parties have not been able to find a solution even three months into the Tarai unrest and two months of blockade of supplies at the Nepal-India border.