Kathmandu, January 14

Major parties  ruling CPN-UML, Unified CPN-Maoist and the main opposition Nepali Congress  today agreed to address the demands of the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front before the Parliament meeting slated for Tuesday.

Following the meeting of the three parties, secretariat of Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that the Big III agreed to forge common stance on the report prepared by the joint task force of major parties and the UDMF by Sunday  January 17.

During the meeting, in which the major parties dwelt on the joint report of the two task forces, UCPN-M Chair Dahal stressed the need to resolve the Tarai crisis soon.

The major parties also decided to form a political mechanism to review the existing demarcation of federal units and the same could be given legitimacy either from the Parliament or through constitutional amendment.

According to UCPN-M Vice-chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the meeting decided to address demands of the agitating alliance before the next Parliament meeting scheduled for January 19.

“Both the task forces would be assigned to prepare the draft of an agreement before the Parliament meeting resumes,” Shrestha said.

The parties today assessed progress made by the task forces that are indulged in vigorous negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing Tarai crisis and conclude the constitution amendment process.

Prime minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala were also present on the occasion, besides UCPN-M Chair Dahal.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali, addressing a function here today, said Madhes agitation had affected social harmony, adversely hit country’s economy and promoted anarchy and the government should take it seriously and resolve the crisis soon.

Gyawali said the agitating parties should be taken into confidence by giving legitimacy to political mechanism through the Parliament.

Addressing the same function, UCPN-M spokesperson Dinanath Sharma also said formation of political mechanism with constitutional status should address the UDMF’s concern.

Vice-chair of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Hridayesh Tripathi said UDMF had been impatiently waiting for the major parties to come up with a common stance on their 11-point demands.

Meeting of task forces shelved

KATHMANDU: The much-expected meeting between the two task forces representing the major parties and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front scheduled for Thursday was postponed because the major parties were holding their own meeting.

UDMF task force member and leader of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Hridayesh Tripathi said the meeting of the two task forces was postponed to hold internal discussion and would be held on Friday