President Ram Baran Yadav has advised Prime Minister Sushil Koirala that continuing dialogue with agitating parties to resolve the current political standoff will be beneficial for the country.

In a telephone conversation with the PM on Saturday, President Yadav advised that additional time should be taken to continue dialogue.

Yadav conveyed a similar message to UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat during separate meetings at Shital Niwas and UPCN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha over the phone. “The promulgation of constitution keeping larger groups such as Madhesi, Tharu and Janajatis out of the process, will not send a good message. They have returned to the talks and this should be continued,”  said a President’s aide, quoting the head of state as telling PM.

Pressure is building on the three parties to push back the date for the resumption of the constitution drafting process and some preconditions set by the agitating parties should the initial talks with Madhesi and Tharu parties progress well.

Leaders within the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML  also believe that more time would be needed to conclude talks with the agitating parties.  

“We want a meaningful dialogue with Madhes-based parties. We are of the view that the CA process should be stopped for a few more days,” said Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

 On Friday, the parties decided to stop the process till 11pm on Sunday for negotiations with the agitating Madhesi and Tharu groups. Informal talks, which the major parties have had with the agitating parties, have made little headway. The CA is set to begin the voting process unless the parties agree to postpone it.

During informal discussion with top leaders of the major parties, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chair-person Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar insisted that they halt the CA process for a few more days. Three party leaders are scheduled to deliver speeches at the CA on Sunday morning, after which Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Krishna Prasad Sitaula tables the proposal to initiate a clause-wise voting.

SLMM seeks longer halt for talks

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has asked the three major parties to postpone constitution drafting process for a few more days to create a conducive “environment” for talks. During informal discussion with major parties on Saturday, SLMM leaders said more time was needed for internal preparations on both sides, before clearing “technical” hurdles.

Following major parties’ decision to postpone statute drafting process till Sunday, senior Madhesi leaders have arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday and engaged in informal talks with leaders of three major parties. According to SLMM leaders, they will enter into talks once their preconditions are addressed.

“We want the government to first recall the Army to the barracks, honour the dead and provide treatment to those injured during the protest. This should create a right atmosphere for dialogue,” said Laxman Lal Karna, co-chairman of Sadbhawana Party.

Other SLMM leaders held telephone conservations with leaders of major parties in which they urged to stop the CA process for few more days.

SLMM leaders are fearful of the fact that sitting in dialogue amidst killing of people might give wrong message to protesters on the ground. Morcha leaders have reason to fear as there are several other fronts simultaneously protesting.

They have demanded assurance of implementation of past accords reached with the government.

Upendra Yadav, chairman of Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum-Nepal, said they are ready to seek solution through talks. He, however, said that much will depend on the seriousness of the government. “It’s not just about talks. We want fruitful dialogue,” said Yadav. SLMM leaders have demanded to federate the Tarai plain into two provinces. They have also sought major revision in electoral system and citizenship provision.

Tharuhat forms three-member talks committee

KATHMANDU: Tharu protesters demanding a separate Tharuhat-Tharuwan province have formed a three-member committee for informal talks with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and leaders of major parties.  

The committee will work to create ‘favourable environment’ for dialogue, said Raj Kumar Lekhi, a member of the committee.

Other members of the committee include Aman Lal Modi and Min Raj Chaudhary. Lekhi, former chairperson of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, said that they are scheduled to hold meeting with PM Koirala on Sunday.

“We want withdrawal of criminal charge and unconditional release of our leaders before negotiation. The government is positive on other seven preconditions we forwarded earlier,” said Lekhi.

Responding to Prime Minister’s offer for talks two weeks earlier, Tharuhat-Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee, a loose alliance of Tharu lawmakers, right organisations and NGOs, had forwarded a seven-point condition for talks.

Demands include lifting the curfew, withdrawing the Army from the streets, declaring those who lost their lives in protests as ‘martyrs’ and providing treatment to those injured during the protests.