The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha is planning to seek a framework agreement on two provinces in the Tarai, with the details to be worked out by a parliamentary committee later, during Wednesday’s meeting between the Morcha and major parties.

The parties have proposed immediately forwarding the constitution amendment proposal and addressing the Madhesi parties’ concern later—either through a high-level committee or federal commission. PM KP Oli’s political adviser Bishnu Rimal said the government would seek to resolve all the disputes in phases. The ruling CPN-UML and the opposition Nepali Congress, during a meeting on Tuesday evening, made an understanding to adopt maximum flexibility for consensus with the agitating parties.

“We will adopt maximum flexibility. An agreement could happen if they [agitating parties] come up with an acceptable proposal,” said Law Minister Agni Kharel.

PM Oli’s aides said that the government would do its best to bring the agitating parties on board the constitution implementation process.  

“Yes, there are differences on several issues, but the government is committed to resolving the crisis. There has been an understanding among all sides not to stop this engagement until we find a solution,” said Rimal.

Madhes-centric parties say that they are open to discussion on state demarcation. Sarvendra Nath Shukla, general secretary of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, said they would at least seek assurances on forming two provinces in the Tarai, while assigning a parliamentary committee to decide the fate of five disputed districts—Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari in the East and Kailali and Kanchanpur in the West.

“We want assurances in writing that there would be two provinces, without mentioning the districts, in the Tarai,” said Shukla.

TMLP Vice-chairman Hridayesh Tripathi said they would devise their strategy depending upon the proposals the major parties come up with.  

“We are eagerly waiting for a joint proposal on revision of the federal set-up before making our position clear,” said Tripathi.

Second-rung leaders will attend the meeting from the Morcha’s side. TMLP Vice-chair Tripathi, General Secretary Shukla, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Vice-chair Lal Babu Raut, Sadbhawana Party Co-chairman Laxman Lal Karna and Nepal Sadbhawana Party leader Ram Naresh Raya Yadav are attending the meeting. Top leaders of the four parties are scheduled to attend an assembly in Dhalkebar, Dhanusha.

The 11-point demand of Madhes-centric parties includes two provinces in the plains and amendment to constitutional provisions pertaining to citizenship, electoral system and inclusive and proportional representation.

During informal meetings, major parties have agreed to form a separate Tharuhat province from Nawalparasi to Bardiya, while letting an acceptable mechanism decide the fate of Morang, Sunsari and Kailali districts. But they have made it clear that actual revision of the boundaries would be done later.

NC to adopt maximum flexibility

KATHMANDU: The opposition Nepali Congress has decided to adopt maximum flexibility during talks with the agitating parties.

A meeting of senior leaders and influential central members of the NC on Tuesday reached a decision to exhibit maximum flexibility on the demarcation issues after Madhesi leaders sought a package deal to end the political deadlock. “We should not stretch the Tarai-Madhes crisis,” said NC spokesman Dilendra Badu. The party has been proposing resolving the issue either through federal commission or referendum in disputed districts.