KATHMANDU: The Tarai Madhes Democratic Party on Wednesday decided to condemn the 16-point agreement in various districts of Madhes and prepare party cadres for what it called a decisive struggle.

Joint General Secretary of TMDP Jitendra Sonal said a meeting of the Central Working Committee held here today termed the 16-point pact a betrayal of Madhes and Madhesis. He said the meeting also decided to hold supporters’ meetings in various districts of Madhes to expose the flaws of the pact and prepare party cadres and supporters for a decisive struggle. “We will crusade for our cause both within and outside the Constituent Assembly, but we will not remain in the CA to endorse a constitution that does not address our concerns,’ Sonal told THT.

The TMDP also decided to send its central leaders to various districts of Madhes in the next 15 days to expose the four parties’ ‘dishonesty’ against Madhesis.

The Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic had signed the 16- point deal a few days ago.

As per TMDP CWC’s decision, Vice-chair Hridayesh Tripathi will address supporters’ meeting in Bara and Parsa, party General Secretary Sarvendranath Shukla in Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu and Rupandehi and Sonal in Siraha and Saptari.

Vice-chair Brikhesh Chandra Lal will address gatherings in Dhanusha and Mahottari. Jungi Lal Ray Yadav will do the same in Rautahat, Brijesh Gupta will speak Banke and Bardiya and Pushpa Thakur in Morang.