7-point proposal put forth by Madhesi parties: Laxman Lal Karna

KATHMANDU: Sadbhawana Party Co-chair Laxman Lal Karna on Thursday said that the seven-point proposal for the amendments in new Constitution was put forth by the agitating Madhesi parties.

Speaking at an interaction organised at the Reporters’ Club in the Capital, leader Karna said the demand of constitutional amendments was made by the United Democratic Madhesi Front and not India as reported by an Indian newspaper.

According to him, The Indian Express exaggerated the fact and published the photo of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the proposal.

Acknowledging the government's latest appeal for dialogue as positive, Karna said talks was possible if the government created conducive environment for the same.

Also speaking on the occasion, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Republican Chairman Raj Kishor Yadav said that his party did not know about the seven-point proposal.

 The seven-point proposal includes right to participate in state structures on the basis of principles of proportional inclusion, delineation of electoral constituencies based on population, allowing naturalised citizens to hold highest offices both at the federal and the provincial level, incorporation of five disputed districts Kanchanpur, Kailali, Sunsari, Jhapa and Morang in the adjoining Madhes province(s), representation in the national assembly based on population, automatic citizenship to foreign women married to Nepali citizens and delineation of electoral constituencies every 10 years.

Responding to the media report, India's Ministry of External Affairs has already clarified that the Government of India has not given any list of constitutional amendments to Nepal.