Chitwan, December 8

Senior CPN-UML leader and former prime minister Mahdav Kumar Nepal today accused media houses of intensifying the Madhes agitation in Tarai districts.

“The agitation was expedited due to unnecessary dissemination of the misconception about the contents of the constitution in the Tarai districts.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the party’s national gathering in Sauraha today evening, Nepal accused media houses of failing to bring out the glory and achievement of the long-awaited constitution. “We must be alert as we are in a critical moment,” he appealed to party cadres.

He said some anti-UML forces had spread negative messages about his party’s stance on Madhes. He directed party leaders and activists to retaliate. “But you should fight ideologically and diplomatically,” he said.

Meanwhile, another senior leader and former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal said that various misconceptions were spread due to failure to conduct such gatherings before. “Had we been able to hold this kind of gathering, the country would not have to face the present crisis. Though late, it has been fruitful,” he claimed.

Khanal directed party cadres to make people understand about the rights stated in the constitution. He accused Madhesi leaders of spreading misconceptions about the constitution among the Madhesi people.