Kathmandu, February 24:

Nepali Congress leaders Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar and Sharat Singh Bhandari today demanded that the Constituent Assembly election be held only after resolving the Madhes problems through dialogue.

“The polls will have no meaning if the genuine demands of Madhesi people were not met and if they could not take part in this important event,” Gachhadar told mediapersons at a press conference held in his residence here today. He warned the government not to resort to force to conduct the polls, as it could lead to undesired results.

Sharat Singh Bhandari also urged all to find an amicable solution to the problem of Madhes before polls.

“The CA polls are for the citizens to enable them to write the kind of constitution they want, if the Madhesi people cannot take part in polls, then the polls cannot be meaningful,” Bhandari said. Gachhadar has been named party candidate for Sunsari-3 whereas Bhandari is party candidate from his home constituency of Mahottari district.

Gachhadar said though newly formed Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party had been calling them to join their outfit, he would fight for Madhesi cause from within the NC. He added that the Nepali Congress had the capacity to address the Madhes problem, adding that party leaders Khum Bahadur Khadka, Govind Raj Joshi, Chiranjibi Wagle, Binay Dhoj Chand, Amar Raj Kaini and KB Gurung have agreed to turn down the party’s offer of candidature.