Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Chairman Mahanta Thakur has said that he advised Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to come up with a clear proposal before sitting for talks. He met PM Koirala at his party central office in Kathmandu.

Talking to reporters at Biratnagar Airport on Tuesday, leader Thakur said, “PM was not clear himself. He talked about his own problems and left.” He said the prime minister failed to give a clear-cut reply when he asked him to stop the violence seen in Tarai and clarify the government’s position on the issue.

He said the prime minister told him that there were problems within his own party and the big three parties regarding the issue of Madhes.

Leader Thakur said he told the prime minister that the talks would only be possible after the government comes up with a concrete roadmap on their demands related to state demarcation, inclusive proportional system, citizenship and electoral constituency.

When asked if the nature of their agitation would change in view of the hardships faced by the people of Tarai due to prolonged strike, Thakur said it will be decided by a meeting of Samyutka Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) slated to be held later in the day at Rajbiraj, Saptari district.  He added the agitation will continue though.

“Today’s SLMM meeting will focus on forging working alliance with the parties pursuing similar ideology and issues,” said Thakur.

In a different context, he said he is unaware about India’s statement hinting possible trade embargo against Nepal.