Kathmandu, February 22:

Eleven Nepali Congress lawmakers today urged the government to immediately address the Madhesi issue politically by respecting the Madhesi sentiment expressed through the ongoing movement.

The NC lawmakers, representing the Tarai region, said the Madhesi voices have to be considered politically, not through suppression.

The Madhes problem, they said, should not be taken merely as a security problem in the region.

“We will oppose any step of suppression against the peaceful Madhes movement,” a statement issued today evening signed by 11 NC lawmakers, including Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Sarat Singh Bhandari, Ram Janam Chaudhary, said.

Lawmaker Gachhadar told this daily that they would even be compelled to take what he said “new step” if the government resort to suppress the Madhesi movement.

Asked whether they were planning to join the Madhes movement by quitting the party, Gachhadar said, “Time will tell about it and the step would be disappointing for the party if the Nepali Congress-led government failed to address the problem.”

He said they are hopeful that the government would address the crisis to hold the constituent assembly election on April 10.