After months of informal negotiations, the government and the Madhes-based parties appear to be inching closer to an understanding on formation of a Tharuhat province along the western plains. However, differences persist over the so-called five disputed districts—Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur. 

Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato on Saturday hinted that an informal understanding on formation of another province in the Tarai plains was on the cards. He, however, added that the governing CPN (Maoist Centre) and Nepali Congress “are unwilling to relent on issues surrounding Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. 

Reiterating the official demand of the Madhesi parties, Mahato said there should be two provinces—one between Jhapa and Parsa in the East and another between Chitwan and Kanchanpur in the West. “We will raise this issue strongly when we sit for formal negotiations with the government, possibly by Sunday,” said Mahato. Mahato’s remarks come days after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal claimed that an informal agreement had been reached with the agitating parties on the disputed issues of the constitution. 

Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, however, dismissed Mahato’s claims. “The government does not seem to be willing to hold open and sincere discussion,” said Yadav, describing the remarks as “rumours”.

“These are all rumours that have been spread to deceive people. No agreement has been reached on the disputed issues,” Yadav, who is also the coordinator of the Sanghiya Gathabandhan which is a broader alliance of Madhesi and Janajati forces, told the Post. Yadav on Friday also had dismissed PM Dahal’s fresh proposal as “stale”.

Last week, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chair Mahantha Thakur, who is in constant discussion with PM Dahal and DPM and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi, told the Post that there “has been an understanding to resolve four outstanding issues” related to boundaries, representation in the Upper House, citizenship and working language of the provinces. “But we haven’t yet entered into issues. It can be done only when the government makes clear its stance on the disputed issues,” said Thakur. 

With formal talks yet to start and government failing to register a statute amendment proposal in Parliament even three months after PM Dahal took office, the agitating forces have warned of withdrawing support to the government and launching protests after Chhath. 

PM hopeful of breakthrough today

KATHMANDU: “Very constructive” discussions were held on Saturday between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leaders of the Madhes-based parties, a source close to PM Dahal told the Post, adding that formal negotiations are most likely to start on Sunday. PM Dahal is hopeful of a “breakthrough” on Sunday itself on constitutional amendment, the source added. Dahal and Morcha leaders are learnt to have discussed at length issues related to provincial boundaries, recognition of languages spoken in Madhes, representation in the Upper House and citizenship. The two sides are “tantalisingly close” to an agreement on all four major issues, said the source. (PR)