Dahal hopeful of Madhesi parties' 'silent support' to Constitution amendment

KATHMANDU: UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he was hopeful that the Madhes-centric parties would let the House endorse the Constitution Amendment Bill by silently protesting the procedures.

He said it was possible that the parties would let the House endorse it as they did for the Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, though they had reservations over its content.

The Maoist leader was speaking with journalists while receiving a memorandum from the Reporters' Club Nepal today.

"Now, my focus is on solution of problems," he said, "It has already been established that the problem will be solved through talks. There is no alternative to talks."

He informed that he would meet leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front on Friday and try to forge consensus on amending language in the amendment proposal.

Dahal added that he had been attempting to bring leaders of ruling and agitating parties together to resolve the provincial boundary issues within three months through a political committee including leaders and experts.

"Managing demarcation is too tough now," he said, "The Madhesi parties should agree to settle it within three months."

"The things are positive now," he added, "I am very hopeful that the problem will be solved."