Bhairahawa, July 15:

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel claimed today that the government has met most of the demands put forth by Madhesi groups.

Noting that the government has urged Madhesi groups to come to the negotiating table within 15 days, he said the remaining demands of the groups will be met after the talks.

Talking to reporters after a programme of the Bhairahawa chapter of the Press Union Nepal, Poudel said: “The constituent assembly polls will provide solutions to all the problems of the Madhesi people.”

There will be dire consequences for the Tarai if the polls are not held, he said. “The unruly behaviour of the Maoists is posing a hurdle to the polls.” He added that the Maoists were “hindering the UN verification of PLA soldiers and were also not returning the land and property of civilians seized during the insurgency.”

“The Maoists are acting like a self-appointed police force, making it difficult to create a conducive environment for the pollls,” he said. He urged the Maoists to cooperate.

Earlier, at another programme organised by the Rupandehi chapter of the Nepal-India Manav Vikas and Maitri Sangh, Poudel said that vested interests and bad elements are trying to foil the polls.

Indian member of parliament Nirmal Deshpande said that India was committed to providing all possible help for the holding the polls. She said vested interests could take advantage of ensuing chaos if the polls were not held on time.