Kathmandu, September 10

Chairman of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato today met Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and told him the government should move a constitutional amendment bill before the prime minister embarks on his visit to India.

The PM is scheduled to leave for India on September 15.

Speaking to THT, Mahato said he told Deuba the ruling parties should move a constitutional amendment bill after reaching understanding with the United Democratic Madhesi Front on the latter’s political demands.

“I have told Deuba that once the constitutional amendment bill is tabled in the House, it will intensify debate on constitutional issues and build the environment for amendment to the constitution,” Mahato said.

He hoped the principal opposition CPN-UML would also support the constitutional amendment bill after the ruling parties and the UDMF agreed on the issues.

The UML has been expressing opposition to constitutional amendment.

“Mahato said he told Deuba the CPN-MC and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal were positive about resolving all political issues raised by the agitating forces, so if constitutional   issues were not resolved this time, then the NC may be blamed for the stalemate,” he added.

Mahato said Deuba told him that he was committed to resolving the issues of Madhesis, Tharus and Janajatis.

Deuba assured Mahato that formal talks between the government and the UDMF would take place soon, according to Mahato.

Mahato said Deuba told him that he was also in favour of tabling the constitutional amendment bill before the PM leaves for India, but if that was not possible, the government could do so after the PM returned.

Mahato said he also told the NC President that the government should do things immediately to address the UDMF’s demands.

The UDMF wants the government to give martyrdom status to 16 more people and to give the Girish Chandra Lal commission full shape as soon as possible.

He said the government and the UDMF needed to reach understanding on issues of revision of provinces, citizenship, representation in the Upper House of the Parliament and  the question of language.