Kathmandu, April 15

Madhesi lawmakers of Nepali Congress and leaders from Province 2 have suggested that the NC take the United Democratic Madhesi Front on board the election process.

They also suggested that local level polls be postponed by at least 10 days if that would help bring the UDMF on board.

A joint meeting of district and provincial leaders of Province 2 with NC central leaders suggested these initiatives.

According to NC lawmaker Ananda Prasad Dhungana, the aim of seeking suggestions was to find a way to address Madhesis’ demands so that Madhesi parties could participate in the local level elections.

According to another lawmaker Chandra Mohan Yadav, majority of the MPs suggested that the party ought to be ready even to postpone the local elections by at least 10 days. He also said there would be no harm in postponing local level elections if the Madhesi parties became ready to participate in the local polls.

The meeting was held at the Nepali Congress Central Office in Sanepa today.

The leaders who spoke at the meeting urged the party to understand that elections could not be conducted in a free and fair manner without Madhesi parties’ participation.

NC lawmaker Farmullah Mansur said, “Unless the Madhesi parties accepted the new constitution amendment bill, the environment conducive for elections would not be possible”.

Nepali Congress district chairpersons of Saptari, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Bara, Parsa and Rautahat expressed their views on local polls and constitution amendment.

Nearly 40 leaders spoke on the issues.

Meanwhile, the NC issued a press release saying the meeting of NC leaders and lawmakers from Province 2 suggested that the party leadership hold dialogue with the UDMF and other parties in the Parliament to give priority to the constitution amendment bill so as to create conducive environment for polls.

Delivering the concluding remarks at the meeting, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the party would play a key role in finding a negotiated settlement of issues raised by Madhesi forces.

Senior NC leader Ramchandra Paudel and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi were also present at the meeting.