Kathmandu, February 25

A secretariat meeting of the United Democratic Madhesi Front discussed the contents of amendment proposal the lawmakers associated with UDMF constituent parties could move on the constitution amendment bill.

General Secretary of the National Madhes Socialist Party Keshav Jha said UDMF leaders who were present in the meeting discussed constitutional issues, withdrawal of support to the government and blueprint of UDMF agitation in future but was yet to reach a final decision.

Jha said next meeting of the UDMF secretariat could reach a conclusion on all these issues. He said the UDMF affiliated party could register proposal on the constitution amendment bill seeking to address three main issues — language, federalism and representation in the Upper House — as per the front’s 11-point demands.

Jha said the UDMF leaders discussed withdrawal of support to the government but they were also of the view that since the government had initiated debate on the constitution amendment bill, the UDMF should wait at least until the bill was put to vote.

“Some leaders were of the view that the UDMF should not hurry to withdraw support to the government or else the ruling parties could get ammunition to blast the UDMF,” Jha said.

Another UDMF source said on condition of anonymity that some UDMF leaders were of the view that UDMF should withdraw support to the government only after carefully watching the actions of the ruling parties and the government on the constitutional issues. “We want to see how the government acts to address our issues. Now the government has initiated a debate on the constitution amendment bill and we will have to take part in the voting. We will see how the ruling parties lead the process on the bill,” the source added.

The Federal Alliance had stated in a press release yesterday that a decision on whether or not to withdraw support to the government would be taken in its next meeting after holding discussion with the UDMF.