Kathmandu, November 6

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bijay Kumar Gachhadar today said the government was ready to find a solution to the Tarai unrest through dialogue.

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• Ruling coalition parties preparing for fruitful dialogue with agitators

Talking to a group of journalists at a blood donation programme organised by the youth wing of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic, Gachhadar said the government was ready to redefine the issues incorporated in the Constitution Amendment Bill.

Sushil Koirala-led government had registered the bill to ensure proportional inclusion in all state organs and delineation of election constituencies mainly on the basis of population.

Gachhadar also said that the government negotiators had expressed commitment to the negotiators of the United Democratic Madhesi Front that the government was ready to amend the constitution to address their concerns about provincial boundaries.

Gachhadar said the government had already met most of the conditions set by the agitating parties for talks and it would meet other conditions after the home ministry submits its report. He said his party had not abandoned any issues related to the empowerment of Madhesis, Tharus and Janajatis and was rather using all three platforms government, Parliament and streets to seek desired changes in the constitution.

“Ultimately the agitating Madhesi parties will also have to come to the Parliament to seek resolution of the issues through constitutional amendment,” he said in response to a journalist’s query. He said he signed an eight point deal with CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and Unified CPN-Maoist Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and was hopeful that a solution would be found as per the deal.

He said although his party had not joined the UDMF, it had been agitating peacefully and at least three of its loyalists, including the son of party’s Vice Chair Rameshwar Ray Yadav received a bullet in police firing.

Gachhadar said Raj Kishor Thakur, who died in police firing, was a supporter of his party.

He said if the government needed to do more to meet those conditions, it would do so. He also said that the government would intensify its diplomatic efforts to end obstructions on the border.