While the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has declined to sit for talks, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum- Loktantrik (MJF-L) has started discussion with the leaders of the three major parties, seeking major revision in the proposed federal set-up.

MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar met with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, also the president of ruling Nepali Congress, on Friday and reiterated his proposition of federating the country into eight provinces to end the ongoing political turmoil in Tarai.

Senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel were also present at the meeting.

Gachhadar, a signatory to the 16-point agreement, suggested that the major parties should either accept the eight-province model or come up with other “acceptable” alternative.

He also sought common position of major parties to clarify their position on demands of Tharu and Madhesi communities before beginning the formal negotiation.

“We are holding separate discussions with major parties—CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist)—before holding a joint meeting. We will make our views on dialogue public after knowing their respective position,” MJF-L General Secretary Ram Janam Chaudhary said after the meeting.