Kathmandu, August 28

The United Democratic Madhesi Front is likely to reject the prime minister’s offer of talks on constitutional issues tomorrow.

Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato told THT from Malangwa, where the UDMF leaders discussed PM Sushil Koirala’s recent offer of talks today, that the front would not hold talks with the government or the major parties mainly because there was no guarantee in the PM’s invite that the Interim Constitution and past agreements would be honoured.

Mahato said the UDMF constituents would discuss the PM’s offer tomorrow again and officially respond to him tomorrow, the last day set by the PM for their response. Mahato said the talks would be meaningless at this stage.

“The PM has not committed to anything. The invite does not address our conditions. How can we sit for talks in this situation?” Mahato wondered. He said the government should withdraw NA from riot hit districts, treat the injured protesters for free and give martyrdom status to those who were killed by the police during the protests.

Mahato said there were some core issues that the marginalised sections, including Madhesis, could not compromise. He said Madhesi forces cannot accept this draft because it does not ensure autonomous Madhes provinces.