Pokhara, December 10

Home Minister Shakti Basnet today held Madhesi leaders responsible for the failure to resolve the current crisis.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Revolutionary Journalists Association, Kaski, Minister Basnet said, “Though the government is ready for dialogue, the Madhesi leaders are shunning talks. This has only made matters worse.”

Stating that chances of Madhesi leaders holding dialogue with the government were slim, he argued that it would be wise for the government to move ahead with the formation of federal commission to resolve disputes over delineation of provincial boundaries.

Minister Basnet also shared that the government was ready to demonstrate maximum flexibility to resolve the crisis. “In fact, the government is ready to resolve the Tarai agitation by amending the constitution. The ball is now in the court of Madhesi leaders,” he said.

Regarding the agenda of state delineation, he said, “The government can’t address the demand of each and every community regarding delineation of provincial boundaries.”

He also criticised the Madhes-based parties for obstructing the highway in the name of agitation. “There are a group of people who are doing it to serve their vested interests. But the government can no longer remain a mute spectator while the entire nation suffers,” he said.