Jhapa, March 1:

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula claimed today that the agreement reached with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) will not be detrimental to national integrity and sovereignty. Sitaula said this at a press meet organised by the Jhapa chapter of the Nepal Press Union in Birtamod.

Asked why some constituents of the seven-party alliance (SPA) have objected to the government-UDMF agreement, he said: “Some procedural mistakes might have occurred.”

Terming the CA polls the main agenda of the SPA, he said political parties will play a vital role in creating a peaceful atmosphere for the constituent assembly (CA) polls. The home minister appealed to the parties to go to the villages to launch election campaigns.

“The government will put adequate security arrangements in place for the polls,” he said.

Stating that all rights of the king are being curtailed democratically since the reinstatement of the parliament, he said the first meeting of the CA will oust the king from the Narayanhiti Palace. He appealed to the media to help establish a democratic republic.

Stating that the government has invited the Jwala Singh and Jaya Krishna Goit led factions of the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha for talks, he expressed hope that the factions will lay down their arms and come to the negotiating table in due course.