Miscellaneous
Madhesi parties seek ‘concrete’ assurances
The Madhes-based parties have ruled out the possibility of joining the new government immediately but have hinted that they would support the coalition from the outside if the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) made clear commitments to addressing their demands.The Madhes-based parties have ruled out the possibility of joining the new government immediately but have hinted that they would support the coalition from the outside if the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) made clear commitments to addressing their demands.
Madhesi leaders said that the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, would make its position clear after analysing the joint commitments the NC and the Maoists make to revising the federal boundaries. The SLMM and the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, the larger alliance with Janajati groups of which the SLMM is a constituent, have separately forwarded 11- and 26-point demands that, among others, seek two provinces in the Tarai.
SLMM allies have asked the NC and the Maoist Centre to put forth a plan outlining how they intend to address their demands.
“It might be difficult to amend the constitution immediately since the UML’s support is necessary [for the purpose]. But the NC and the Maoists should at least commit in writing
to addressing our demands for now,” said Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party General Secretary Sarbendra Nath Shukla, adding that it was their bottom-line for supporting the new government.
Shukla said that the SLMM allies are hopeful about getting clear commitments on their demands as the two parties have set resolution of the Madhes crisis as their top priority. Seeking a solution to the Madhes crisis is on top of the seven-point agreement signed by the two parties.
Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said amendment to the constitution was a must for the agitating parties to join the government.
“But we don’t see that happening anytime soon. We will see how things unfold before making concrete decisions,” said Mahato.
The Morcha leadership is planning to hold an internal meeting after receiving a concrete offer. Some Madhesi leaders are in favour of joining the government after striking a symbolic deal on redrawing the federal boundaries, the most contentious issue.
Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal, said the agitating parties will wait until the NC and the Maoists make it clear how they plan to address the demands of the Madhesi, Janajati and marginalised communities.