PM Dahal holds meeting with Madhesi Front leaders

KATHMANDU: Senior leaders of Madhesi parties affiliated with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) held a meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday.

On the occasion, the Madhesi parties expressed their concern over the delay in the tabling of a proposal on Constitution amendment on the line with the three-point agreement and withdrawal of charges from those involved in the agitation in the Tarai-Madhes region, and the issues of local restructuring, according to leader Rajendra Mahato.

Referring to the agreement that three major parties -- Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and PM's CPN Maoist Centre -- made on local restructuring, the Madhesi leaders made it clear that they would not accept any decision on local restructuring till state restructuring and issues related to provinces were resolved.

They further said local restructuring should be done on the basis of population and locals elections should be held only after the Madhes issues are addressed.

Prime Minister Dahal said that the local restructuring would be done taking into consideration the concerns of all parties, according to a statement issued by the PM's Secretariat.

According to Mahato, Prime Minister Dahal assured the Madhesi parties of addressing their concerns over the Constitution amendment, case withdrawal and local restructuring.

Mahato said Dahal told the Madehsi leaders the proposal on amendment would be registered at the Parliament soon and the process for withdrawal of cases was underway.

In response to the proposal on amendment of Constitution,  Prime Minister Dahal told the leaders homework was being done for the amendment, asking them not to cast suspicion over the government, the statement added.

 

Prime Minister Dahal had invited them for a meeting.