Madhesi parties are reaching out to the international community and civil society groups to garner wider support and mount pressure on the major parties to address their demands.

Madhes-based parties have been staging protests along the Tarai plains demanding implementation of the past agreements and two provinces in Tarai, among others.

 Leaders have been engaged in several discussions with representatives of the international community.

“We met representatives of the international community to address their concerns, clarify misconception regarding our protest and put forward our views,” Upendra Yadav, chairman of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal told the Post.

Yadav alongside Mahanta Thakur, chairman of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, have met representatives of United Nations and diplomatic missions, including Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae, according to Morcha leaders. Thakur also held a telephone conversation with Jeffrey D Feltman, United Nations under-secretary general for Political Affairs, in wake of the Kailali incident that resulted in the death of 8 security personnel and a toddler. “It’s natural for international community to express concerns especially when thousands of people are protesting. Everyone wants an amicable solution to the ongoing crisis,” said Thakur.

Series of events that unfolded in the last two weeks, including top parties’ intention to promulgate the constitution without addressing their concerns, have led Madhesi leaders to say that both domestic and international support is equally important for a ‘successful protest’. They expect to mount pressure on major parties to address their demands, keeping the momentum alive on the ground.

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has not been able to draw a sizeable crowd in protests following deployment of Nepal Army in various districts of central Tarai. The government has called in the Nepal Army to support civilian authorities in wake of growing violent protests and vandalism.

“Though thousands of people attended the funeral of five people who were shot dead in Birgunj, the situation has become really calm after that day. One reason is the deployment of Nepal Army,” said Chandra Kishore Jha, a Madhes-based journalist.

Madhes-based parties have also been seeking a greater role of civil society members in resolving the crisis.

 Madhesi leaders have made renewed efforts to launch a unified protest with Tharu and other Tarai-based groups including Rajbanshi and Santhal in the eastern region. Tharu strongholds in the West have remained relatively calm following the incident in Kailali, while Rajbanshi and Santhal has so far refrained from supporting the protest. Support of Rajbanshi and Santhal is necessary to further carry on with the protests in the East.

Analysts say the protesters are likely to be fragmented into various camps following the exit of Bijaya Kumar Gachhadhar-led Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Loktantrik from the current constitution writing process. Besides the Morcha, various leaders including Matrika Yadav and Anil Kumar Jha have been leading separate protests in Madhes.

‘I will wait till last hour’

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has said he will wait and watch a few days for the three major parties to address their concerns.

“We’ll wait until the last hour. If the demands of Madhesis, Tharus and indigenous people are not addressed, it is certain that the country will plunge into a serious conflict,” said Gachhadar talking to reporters at Biratnagar Airport on Monday on his way to a Tharuhat programme in Itahari. He said that he would put forth his opinion clearly at the CA meeting on Tuesday.

The MJF-L chief said that he had given the roadmap with the draft of eight-state federal model to solve the present problem. He reiterated that there would be peace in the country if three major parties wanted.

“I have made a great contribution, hoping that the country will not enter into another conflict. No Nepali should die in such incidents,” he said.“Three major political parties have accepted these issues but aren’t acting on it.”

Recalling the contribution he made to the constitution drafting process since the signing of the 16-point agreement, Gachhadar said if the major parties did not act now, the country could plunge into a vicious struggle. “The new constitution should be made from the CA. And it should be acceptable to all the Nepalis. If not, a majority of Nepalis should accept it.”