After several agitating political parties and groups that are opposing the seven province model refused to sit for talks, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala is sending another letter to them appealing them to join the talks table without any preconditions.

A meeting of the four political parties on Sunday decided to dispatch another letter to the disgruntled sides.

PM Koirala will try to assure the agitating parties and groups that their demands will be discussed in an earnest and candid manner, said UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.  

Sources said this time the PM’s letter will be more flexible in a bid to convince the disgruntled sides to join the talks table.

On Wednesday, PM Koirala had sent a letter to the agitating Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal, Sadbhawana Party, Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party, Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Republican, Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party, Tharu Kalyankari Sabha, Joint Political Dalit Struggle Committee, Samyukta Dalit Aandolan Nepal, Dalit Nagarik Samaj and Dalit MPs’ Coordination Committee, calling them to sit for dialogue.

Though PM Koirala held meetings with the leaders of these parties and groups, it could not bring any tangible results after Sumyukta Madhesi Morcha put 12 points preconditions for talks.

Nefin sets talks preconditions

Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (Nefin) has some preconditions to sit for talks with the government.

Sending a letter to the government, Nefin, an umbrella organisation 56 indigenous communities, has said that the major parties should first assure that all past agreements signed with Janajati would be honoured. Nefin was responding to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala’s written appeal for talks.

Other demands include lifting the curfew, withdrawing of Nepal Army from the riot-affected zones, releasing Nefin leaders and cadres arrested in the protest, and declaring those killed in recent protests martyrs.

Nefin has also demanded for free treatment for those injured in protests. Nefin Chairman Nagendra Kumal said that they will sit for talks with the government only after their demands are addressed.