Birgunj, August 23:

The session of the general convention preparation committee of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) that began yesterday continued today. The meeting began at 9.30 am in the Rani Sati Sadan building at Adarshnagar here and lasted till late in the evening.

Media persons were barred from taking photographs of the participants. They were allowed only up till the second floor of the building. The meeting was held on the third floor. MJF cadres locked the door leading to the third floor and stood guard to prevent anyone from snooping or prying.

Talking to reporters before the meeting began, MJF chairman Upendra Yadav said his party was confident that the issues of the Madhes would be resolved through dialogue.

He, however, warned that if the government did not give fair and equal representation to all communities and sections of society in the constituent assembly, a fresh revolt would break out in the Madhes.

He added that there can be no compromise on the issue of regional autonomy and the communities’ right to self-determination.

Responding to queries, Yadav said that his party was all for participating in the constituent assembly polls, but added that first the government will have to address the issues of the Madhes.

He accused the government of showing indifference to the demands of the MJF though the international community had termed genuine the demands of the Madhesi people.

He said the MJF general convention preparation committee has been deliberating since yesterday on whether to participate in the CA polls or launch a fresh agitation. The deliberations are still not over, he added.