The Madhes-based parties have criticised Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for “saying one thing and doing another”, arguing that such duplicitous activities have raised fresh doubts over the sincerity of the government in resolving the Madhes issues.

The parties pointed to Dahal’s failure to address the non-political demands of the protesters and to table the constitution amendment proposal by his self-imposed deadline. In a meeting with the PM in Baluwatar on Tuesday, Madhesi leaders sought reasons for the delays in drafting the amendment proposal despite having an informal understanding on resolving the key disputes.

Ahead of his India visit that started on September 15, Dahal had said the government had reached a tentative agreement with the regional parties on resolving four problems pertaining to the state boundaries, citizenship, language and representation in the upper house.

Leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha also warned of disowning the three-party agreement to convert the existing Ilakas (area clusters) into village and municipal councils. Madhesi leaders warned of renewed protests if the government moved ahead with the election preparations without resolving the boundary row.

“We have been saying that the federal boundaries should be revised before determining the local structures. Such duplicitous acts on part of the government have raised multiple questions,” said Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Vice-chairman Brikhesh Chandra Lal, who attended the meeting. The agitating parties are unhappy with the government particularly about the delay to withdraw criminal charges against the protesters arrested during the Madhes movement last year.

“The government makes pledges but fails to deliver. There is still a lot to be done within a short time. We fear this may just be a time buying tactic,” said Lal.

PM Dahal responded that he was working to build consensus for tabling the amendment proposal in Parliament.

“Do no doubt my commitment to registering the amendment proposal. The government has no plans to hold elections without taking the agitating parties on board,” a leader present quoted Dahal as saying in the meeting. Dahal told the leaders that the amendment proposal would be tabled before Dashain. Ruling party leaders, however, have ruled out the possibility citing insufficient time for preparations. Earlier, Dahal had pledged to register the amendment paper before his India visit.

Despite the PM’s assurance to table amendments with or without the CPN-UML’s support, the ruling parties have been shifting the blame on the second largest party for the delays.

• Dahal tells Madhesi leaders amendment proposal will be tabled before Dashain
• Madhesi parties express concerns over ‘duplicitous’ activities of the government