Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transportation Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has ruled out the possibility of splitting Madhes into two states. 

“Division of Madhes into two states is impossible. The people of Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari are against the idea of inclusion of those territories in federal state 2,” said Gachhadar, while accepting a memorandum from Reporters Club on Sunday. “The solution to Madhes issues will not come from dividing it into two states. However, delimiting Tarai into three states would address the demands of everyone.”  

Claiming that the issues will be solved by demarcating Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha and Udaypur under one state and by including Argakhachi, Palpa, Rukum and Rolpa under a state with Tharu majority, Gachhadar said that his proposal was not denied by top leaders of major parties.  

Gachhadar acknowledged that all other demands in 8-point pact except demarcation have already been addressed.   

Likewise, Gachhadar lambasted accusations that it was his failure to open Kerung border point. “I have put Kerung among top priorities. The road department has already initiated tender process to build a two-lane road from Galchi to Betrbati. It has been said that the roads will be build with Chinese assistance but if China does not show any interest the government will build the road by itself,” he said.