Kathmandu, May 23:

Madhesi leaders today agreed to press for incorporation of Madhes issues, particularly those mentioned in the pacts signed between Madhesi parties and the government, in the Interim Constitution.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhawana party leaders held discussions here today to form a common front to address the issues of the Madhes and champion their cause in negotiations with other mainstream political parties.

In today’s meeting, MJF leaders Upendra Yadav and Mahadev Sah, TMDP leaders Mahantha Thakur, Hridayesh Tripathi, Ram Kumar Sharma and Jitendra Sonal and SP leader Manis Suman represented their respective parties.

“We discussed formation of a common front on the issues of Madhes, as there is a glaring need of unity among us,” Yadav told this daily.

He said the previous pacts reached between the government and the Madhesi parties must be incorporated in the constitution. “Those agreements were reached at to facilitate holding of the Constituent Assembly election,” he said.

“People of Madhes want us (Madhesi parties) to fight together for Madhesi cause and we are trying to consolidate our efforts to that direction,” TMDP leader Sarbendra Nath Shukla told this daily.

Yadav said the Madhesi parties also need to have common political and ideological agendas to make their alliance strong and durable.

“We must have a common understanding on political and ideological front not only for sharing the power,” he said. Leaders of all three parties are expected to meet after a couple of days to dwell in details on the issues of Madhes.

Yadav said Maoists must be ready to replace the provision in the constitution requiring two-third majority in the CA to form or oust a government and replace this with a provision of simple majority. “As long as the two-third majority provision remains in the constitution nobody can trust each other,” he said.