The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L) has put forth a four-point demand to join the Constituent Assembly before the promulgation of the constitution.

According to MJF-L leaders, the demands include revision of the proposed federal set-up, proportional and inclusive representation, upholding provision of the Interim Constitution to determine electoral constituencies and official status to local languages.  

During phone conversation with leaders of the three major parties, MJF-L Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar said fulfilling those concerns would pave the way for many other parties to support the constitution.    

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal were positive on the demands, said MJF-L General Secretary Ram Janam Chaudhary. The three parties have decided to respond to the proposal after an internal consultation.

“There could be some give and take from both sides to find an amicable solution. There are serious differences in issues pertaining to the state delineation but that does not mean there is no hope for consensus,” said Chaudhary.

Gachhadar has proposed to sign an agreement to redraw the state boundaries that would address the concerns of both Pahadi-Tharu/Madhesi communities in disputed districts of Kailali, Kanchanpur in the west and Jhapa Morang, Sunsari and Saptari in the east. He has said that his party will come on board before the promulgation of the CA by conferring the task to the proposed commission.

Raj Kumar Lekhi, former chairman of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, said addressing these demands will open up way for ownership of Tharu communities. He said that Tharu leaders are also planning to sit for dialogue possibly on Thursday.

MJF-L leaders said that fulfilment of the four-point demand would address the concerns of the Tharu community and allies of the MJF-L-led alliance protesting against the draft constitution.

Morcha to announce official position today

KATHMANDU: The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has said they will make public on Thursday their official position on new constitution and new course of their ongoing protest. Morcha’s current protest ends on September 21, a day after the date set for statute promulgation.

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party leader Sarbendra Nath Shukla said there is not much for Madhesi people to cheer about in the new constitution. “There is a sense of loss and mourning in Madhes. It’s unfortunate that the Madhesi community will be mourning while others will be celebrating,” he said.   

Morcha leaders met on Wednesday to discuss about their next move after the promulgation of the constitution on September 20. Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal (SSF-N) Chairman Upendra Yadav, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahanta Thakur, Mahendra Yadav of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party and Manish Suman of Sadbhawana Party, among others, were present in the meeting held at Thakur’s residence. Sadbhawana Chairman Rajendra Mahato was not present in the meeting.

“We have agreed that there is no alternative to protest. We will intensify protest against the new constitution,” said SSF-N Chair Yadav. The meeting was also focused on rampant arrests of Morcha leaders from the ground in the recent weeks. Police have arrested scores of Morcha leaders, while many others are currently taking refuge across the border in India fearing arrest, said leaders.

It is unclear whether the parties would stick to general strike in the next phase of protest. Madhesi leaders are said to be awaiting outcome of the ongoing negotiation between Tharu and other Madhesi parties, including Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik, before formulating further strategies.