Kathmandu, March 13 

The main opposition party, the Nepali Congress today demanded that the government and the CK Raut-led Alliance for Independent Madhes present a common explanation of point No 2 of the 11-point agreement reached between the two sides.

Point No 2 of the agreement states, “We have agreed to address dissatisfaction in some places in the country, including Tarai-Madhes, through people’s mandate in a democratic manner.”

Stating that the phrase ‘people’s mandate in a democratic manner’ meant ‘referendum’, the NC said the government now had two options — either to revise the agreement or present a common explanation of the phrase from both parties to the agreement.

“Even five days after CK Raut explained the phrase as meaning ‘referendum’, and three days after a demonstration in Janakpur under the banner of ‘independent Madhes’, the government has only made general remark and has not made any effort to build a common opinion,” said NC Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma at a press conference. “This is mysterious.”

The NC said the party had made it clear from the very beginning that issues related to Tarai-Madhes could be resolved only through constitution amendment.

“When the NC-led government presented the constitution amendment proposal in the Parliament, KP Sharma Oli had termed the move ‘anti national’. However, the 11-point agreement does not mention anything about constitution amendment,” said Sharma.

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