Kathmandu, February 5

The United Democratic Madhesi Front, an alliance of major Madhes-based parties, today demanded share in political appointments, specially to Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad.

In a meeting with Nepali Congress leaders held today at NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence, UDMF leaders demanded a fair share of ambassadorial appointments.

“We reminded NC leaders that UDMF was also a supporter of the government,” Sadbhawana Party Co-chair Laxman Lal Karna told THT. He said apart from seeking appointment in several diplomatic missions, UDMF leaders urged NC to take Madhesi parties on board while taking any political decision.

“We told them that we would be compelled to reconsider our support to the government if our concerns were ignored,” said National Madhes Socialist Party General Secretary Keshav Jha. He said the Madhesi leaders objected to the appointment of 80 high court judges and asked the government to revise the decision. In response, NC leaders assured UDMF that the ruling parties would announce election dates after taking all parties, including UDMF, on board.

Both NC and UDMF leaders agreed to make efforts to revise the constitution amendment bill tabled in the Parliament before passing it, according to Jha. He said the UDMF leaders warned that the agitating Madhesi forces would boycott elections if they were announced without passing the amendment bill.

NC leaders had called a meeting with UDMF leaders to know their views on civic polls. The NC has mounted pressure on the government to announce civic polls so that it will have a chance to lead the government after the polls as per the gentleman’s agreement.

Senior NC leader Gopal Man Shrestha claimed that there was a gentleman’s agreement between the NC and the CPN-Maoist Centre that the CPN-MC would lead the government till local elections, after which the NC would be at the helm.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leader Prakash Man Singh, Deputy PM Bimalendra Nidhi, General Secretary Shashank Koirala and Krishna Prasad Sitaula represented NC in the meeting. Ashok Rai and Rajendra Shrestha of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, Mahantha Thakur of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Keshav Jha of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party were among those representing UDMF in the meeting.