KATHMANDU: The talks that were scheduled to take place on Thursday between the Nepali Congress (NC) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) in a bid to resolve the problems seen at the border checkpoints have been postponed after the Bhaitika festival tomorrow.

The reason cited for the postponement of the talks is UDMF leaders were out of Kathmandu.

The talks were to take place today as part of the NC's initiation to resolve the problem at the border.

The NC leaders, during their meeting with the UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at his residence at Lazimpat on Wednesday, stressed on addressing the Front's demands immediately by amending the constitution.

The date for the talks with the UDMF leaders was fixed as per the agreement reached in the meeting with the UCPN -Maoist chairman to forward the dialogue process with leaders of the Madhes-centric parties with the mediation of the Nepali Congress.

On Tuesday, the NC leaders held separate meetings with the UDMF leaders and agreed that initiatives needed to be taken to forthwith end the difficult situation resulting from the disruption of entry of essential supplies and fuel due to the border blockade.

The NC was scheduled to hold discussions separately with the Front today and kick start the talks with the Front with the participation of the UCPN-Maoist also.

"The talks with the UDMF could not be held today as the leaders of the Maadhes-centric parties have gone out of Kathmandu to celebrate Tihar festival. The talks would now take place immediately after Bhaitika and solution to the problems would be sought through talks alone," NC Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel told the National News Agency (RSS).