Kathmandu, December 17

Claiming that the forceful tabling of the bill on amending the constitution without the consent of agitating Madhesi parties as an unparliamentary act, the United Democratic Madhesi Front today said the significance of talks was over.

Though the major parties, including the main opposition party Nepali Congress, have been trying to pacify the agitated United Democratic Madhesi Front leaders, their efforts have so far been in vain.

“All talks will remain irrelevant unless the major parties come up with a common stance vis-a-vis their 11-point demands,” said Manish Suman, general secretary of the Sadbhawana Party.

He said UDMF would intensify agitation in Madhes and urge all the Madhesi leaders and members of Parliament associated with other parties as well to go to Madhes and support the agitation.

Suman added that they would also request Madhesi people living in the Kathmandu Valley to go to Madhes and support the movement.

The main opposition party Nepali Congress, which pressed for the tabling of the bill on amendment to the new constitution despite the consent of agitating parties, has decided to hold discussion with agitating parties and other major parties ruling CPN-UML and Unified CPN-Maoist to resolve the crisis.

Today’s meeting of party’s office bearers and the parliamentary party decided to move the process of amending the constitution ahead, taking the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front into confidence by addressing their demand to change demarcation of provinces.

Following NC’s parliamentary party meeting, spokesperson Dilendra Badu said party President Sushil Koirala told the meeting United Democratic Madhesi Front lawmakers should be taken on board through talks with the front and other major parties.

Vice-chairperson of the Unified CPN-Maoist Narayan Kaji Shrestha said talks with the agitating parties were stalled after the bill on amending constitution was tabled without taking the agitating parties into confidence. “They have not shown any interest to resume the talks despite our efforts to convince them,” said Shrestha.

The United Democratic Madhesi Front wants that all their demands be dealt with in a package but due to Nepali Congress’ stance the amendment bill was tabled along with the bill on reconstruction of the structures damaged by the earthquake.