Pokhara, November 23

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Cooperatives Chitra Bahadur KC today accused Madhes-based parties of being driven by the motive of secession.

Speaking to journalists here today, the minister scoffed at the ongoing agitation in the Madhes and said, “Madhesi parties’ agitation has no purpose to serve other than bringing into fruition their scheme to split the entire Tarai.

“But come what may, we won’t let their dream come true under any circumstances. They’ve already got a separate province by incorporating eight Tarai districts and want 14 other districts in the province, this won’t happen,” KC pledged, also ruling out the possibility of determining electoral constituencies on the basis of population.

On the prospects of constitution amendment, KC hinted at the possibility that more rights can be granted to the Madheshi populace. “Constitution could be amended to grant more rights to the Madheshis, but that can’t be done by compromising the sovereignty of the country,” he said.

On a different note, DPM KC dwelt on the crisis the entire nation was facing due to the blockade and urged all and sundry to show unity in this hour of crisis.

He also urged the government to do the needful to ease the life of commoners battered by the blockade and the resulting short supply of daily commodities and medicine.