Kathmandu, February 22:

Leader of the United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) JP Gupta said today that the UMDF will not take part in the Constituent Assembly election if the interim constitution is not amended guaranteeing ‘provisional rights’ of the Madhesi people.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu today, Gupta said the United Madhesi Democratic Front will not accept a formal assurance from the Prime Minister or the top leaders of the seven-party alliance that their rights will be guaranteed.

He said there has been no progress in the talks so far, and that the dialogue process will break down if the government sticks to its stance and does not take the United Madhesi Democratic Front’s demands seriously.

He said the government was willing to change the election law that requires political parties to be inclusive while fielding over 20 per cent of candidates in the election to the 601-member Constituent Assembly. The new limit, reportedly proposed by the government, would be 30 per cent.

“Based on the last census, we want this provision raised at least to 32 per cent,” Gupta said. The joint coordinator of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum added that the state could avoid using the term “right to self-determination” if it has objection to the phrase.

“But three lists should be formulated to stipulate separate authorities of the centre and provisional governments as well as concurrent authorities of the both to ensure autonomy,” he added.

Gupta said that Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee had mediated the talks with leaders of the Nepali Congress responding to an appeal by the Prime Minister himself.

At the same function, Maoist leader Barsha Man Pun ‘Ananta’ urged the Madhesi leaders to take part in the Constituent Assembly election and let the people decide on the autonomous federal structures.

“The people may decide in favour of one Madhes, one Pradesh or two or more Pradesh. We are willing to accept the result, whatsoever. They should also do so,” he said.

Co-chairman of the Rastriya Janashakti Party Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani said that his party has not decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly election, but has set a condition for that — an environment for the participation of all the people.

“We will be the first party to submit the closed-list for the PR system on February 24 if the government can bring all agitators on board,” he added.