The government and the agitating Madhes-centric parties have been urged to amend the constitution and seek a solution to the ongoing Madhes unrest through a mutual consensus. 

Speaking at an interaction programme on ‘Disputes on Constitution Amendment and Efforts for Resolution’ organised by Nepal Law Society here today, the participants stressed the need of forging a consensus regarding the matters of constitution amendment and ongoing Madhes agitation. 

CPN (UML) leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said some forces are trying to provoke the Madhes agitation. 

The government too failed to create an atmosphere to address the Madhes issues, he said, adding the disputed issues in the new constitution be resolved through negotiations and dialogues. 

Likewise, UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the Madhes agitation was an outcome of the political parties’ failure to make the people aware of the spirit of the constitution and its achievements. The problems of Madhes should be addressed internally, he added. 

Nepali Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala said trying to keep the Madhes issues and India’s interests into the same basket has created hurdles in addressing the problems, insisting on bilateral talks to find the solution. 

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Mahantha Thakur argued the Nepal’s constitution has excluded the sentiments of Madhes and it was not inclusive too. 

UML leaders Keshab Badal and Karna Bahadur Thapa, former Chief Election Commissioner Neelkantha Upreti, former lawmaker Bimala KC, human rights activist Subodh Pyakurel, Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party leader Dr Dimpal Jha, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party leader Brijesh Gupta and United Democratic Madhes Front representative Ram Naresh Ray, among others, also presented their views at the interaction.