Kathmandu, September 18

Talks between three major parties and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum–Democratic failed today after the parties refused to use the word ‘Tarai-Madhes’ in their agreement.

MJF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Vice-chairman Jitendra Dev and General Secretary Ram Janam Chaudhary had reached Baluwatar hoping to sign the agreement but they returned empty-handed after the leaders refused to include the word ‘Tarai-Madhes’ in the pact.

Gachhadar had played crucial role in clinching the 16-point deal among the four parties, while Jitendra Dev was actively involved in drafting the new constitution.

According to Ram Janam Chaudhary, they were hopeful that they would also become part of the CA but CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba and Krishna Prasad Sitaula refused to include ‘Tarai-Madhes’ in a key sentence.

Chaudhary said the MJF-D had requested to revise the sentence ‘Resolving the conflict on the boundaries in different parts of the country’ to ‘Resolving the conflict on the boundaries in Tarai-Madhes’.

Sitaula, who is NC’s general secretary, said they were all set to sign the agreement but Gachhadar today urged the top leaders to revise the language of the agreement, indicating that the new constitution itself is problematic. “How can we sign an agreement that says the new constitution is problematic,” he said.

Sitaula said MJF-D was for separating the Tarai districts from hilly districts which was not possible. He said the MJF-D leaders had agreed to accept the decision of the Federal Commission to be formed after the promulgation of new constitution. However, talking to reporters at CA after signing copies of the new constitution, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said talks were going on with Gachhadar and he was hopeful that Gachhadar would join the CA.