Speaker Subas Nembang has said that he would ask the government to look into allegations that some Madhesi leaders were going against the democratic values and practices by offering Madhesi people money to join their agitation against delineation of federal setup of the country.

He was responding to concerns raised by lawmakers over a controversial move from the Madhes-centric four parties during the zero hour of the Legislature-Parliament on Thursday. “I will draw home minister’s attention towards this notion of some Madhes leaders and ask him to inform Parliament on the matter,” Nembang said.

Speaking in the Zero Hour at Parliament, lawmaker Romi Gauchan Thakali condemned the Madhesi leaders’ expression, “Come, join our agitation, will pay Rs 5 million if attained martyrdom”. He also drew attention of the government and Parliament towards addressing the demands of the agitating parties at the earliest.

Lawmaker Janakraj Joshi argued that putting a price on a human life and instigating people to be a part the agitation was due to the declining ethical values in the political leaders. “It is sad that the Madhesi leaders are setting the price for a human life. I urge the government to close bank account of such political parties and leaders,” he said.

Lawmaker Rishikesh Pokharel asked, “Where did the Madhesi leaders get the rights to determine the price of a human life in the name of agitation?”

During the question hour, the lawmakers urged the government to address issues ranging from the rights of the minorities and oppressed group in the new constitution to swift distribution of relief to landslide victims in Rukum and Kaski districts to construction of infrastructure, including upgradation of the roads linking Dang and Rukum.