UDMF likely to let banks operate for 5-6 days in Tarai

Kathmandu, October 12

The United Democratic Madhesi Front is considering to relax the ongoing protest in Tarai by allowing the banks and banking organisations to open for 5-6 days keeping in mind the Dashain festival.

Parliamentary party leader of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Ashok Kumar Rai said although leaders associated with the front were considering to allow the banking institutions to resume operation for 5-6 days, the front would take an official decision in this regard only tomorrow. Rai said the front could not take a decision in this regard today as SP Chair Laxman Lal Karna was unable to take part in the meeting, as he was busy meeting party leaders.

Senior leader of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party-Nepal Ram Naresh Ray said, “We are Nepalis and Dashain is our greatest festival so we need to think positively about relaxing our protests during Dashain.” Rai, however, said they would not withdraw any other protest programme.

Rai said the front leaders reviewed their agitation and their role in the election held for premiership yesterday in the Parliament. He said the front leaders were of the view that their decision to back Sushil Koirala’s candidacy for premiership was right because the NC would sit on the opposition benches and would censure the government’s wrongdoings, along with the Madhesi and Janajati forces.

He said in the past when Madhesis raised their voice against the repression in the Tarai, the government did not feel enough heat, now with NC in the opposition, scenario might change.

“When NC and the UML were in power, many innocent people were killed. We protested the killings but our voices were not heard. Now with the NC in the opposition, the government can be easily censured,” he added.

He said Madhesi parties were of the view that their participation in the election held for premiership yesterday would have positive impact on their ongoing agitation. “We need to intensify our protest, both in the Parliament and on the street,” he added.