While formal dialogue between government and agitating Tharu groups is yet to begin, four major parties have begun informal consultations to find a compromising formula to address the demands of Tharu population in Kailai.

One option being discussed among parties is to split the Tharu dominated area of Kaiali to be merged in a Madhes province. According to sources, senior leader of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal who had opposed the idea have appear flexible.

NC and UML will push for a split option if Deuba and Rawal indeed relent on their opposition. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L), however, is also pressing to resolve disputes regarding the eastern districts with Tharu population.

"Any piecemeal solution will create more conflict. So, we are of the view that parties should go for two provinces in Madhes, the demands of both eastern and western Madhes will be resolved," said senior leader of MJF-L Jitendra Narayan Dev.

He, however, said his party does not object if people of Kaliali district accept this proposal. "Before taking these decisions, four parties need to talk with the stakeholders of both Tharu and undivided far-western region," said Dev.

 Kanchanpur and Jhapa districts could be incorporated in hill provinces. Similarly, Chitwan could be incorporated in hill provinces which will ensure three entry points, he said. The MJF-L has proposed two Madhes province (one from Nawalparsi to Kailai, another from Parsa to Morang) as an ideal long-term solution.

But NC and UML are not ready to revisit the boundaries of other provinces in Madhes.  

The UCPN (M), the third largest party, feels that the Tharu demands need to be addressed immediately even if the position of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) could not be addressed right away.

"We are pressing UML to address the demands of Kailai people even if they cannot address the demands of all the agitating parties," said UCPN (Maoist) Vice-Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

The three-party meeting held earlier on Sunday decided to take lead on hold dialogue with Tharuhat and Madhesi protestors.

As the protestors have put forth a long-list of demands to sit for talks, this could delay the formal negotiation. Therefore, three parties are planning to address the demands from a political level.

Next seven days are crucial as the CA process opens for amendments to the current draft of the constitution. The ruling parties want to reach a compromise with the agitating groups within this period so that the current process continues unhindered. 

MJF-L has already warned to boycott the CA proceeding if no political solution is reached and the parties push ahead with the current process to promulgate a new constitution. This may create hurdle for big three parties to garner two-third required to endorse a new constitution.

The process could further prolong by two months if more than 10 percent of CA members demand a formal voting on each articles of the new constitution.