No talks now, UDMF writes to govt

KATHMANDU: The protesting United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) on Thursday responded to the government's invitation for the talks and informed the latter that talks under the present circumstances were irrelevant.

The protesting Front accused the government of spoiling the environment for talks and hence held it responsible to recreate the environment.

"As the Nepal government has not yet brought its clear opinion about the 11-point proposal submitted by the United Democratic Madhesi Front, it is clear that the government does not want to resolve the problem through talks," the letter read.

"The so-called first amendment to the Constitution is not done after an agreement between protesters and the government or as per demands of protesters," the leaders claimed, "but, to create illusions about the movement."

The letter signed by leaders of seven constituents of the Front further accused Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa, who heads the panel formed to review boundaries of provinces, of being negative toward republicanism, federalism, proportional inclusion and secularism.

DPM Thapa, who also heads the government talks team, had sent an invitation to the Front on Sunday for the talks.

"The United Democratic Madhesi Front is always ready for meaningful and decisive talks," it maintained.