At a time when the government is looking to table a constitution amendment proposal and an impeachment motion against CIAA chief Lokman Singh Karki at Parliament, leaders of the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress are engaged in meeting locals and cadres from their hometown and other districts in Tarai.

But as NC leaders in the government are said to have been handed the responsibility of dialogue with the main opposition CPN-UML and Madhes-based parties, the notable absence of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, party General Secretary Sashank Koirala, former general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Shekhar Koirala, among others, raise doubts over the ruling coalition’s ability to take into confidence the other forces or if the government would be able to table a statute amendment proposal within the timeframe mentioned by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

PM Dahal has said that a constitution amendment proposal would be tabled in Parliament sometime this week.

Deuba, however, said that major parties had already agreed on some of the contentious issues raised by the Madhesi and Janajati forces. Deuba, who embarked on a visit to his hometown in Dadeldhura on Thursday, told reporters in Kanchanpur on Sunday that the constitution would soon be amended.

Poudel, who is also on a visit to Tarai, said the NC had initiated a Madhes discourse to resolve issues raised by some of the Madhes-based forces. He met leaders and cadres from Birgunj on Thursday, Bara on Friday, Rautahat on Saturday and Sarlahi on Sunday. Poudel plans to attend functions in Mahottari on Monday and Dhanusha on Tuesday.

Situla, too, headed to the East on Friday to meet cadres in Morang before paying a visit to his hometown in Jhapa on Saturday.

Another NC leader from Tarai, Shekhar, also attended a programme to meet cadres in Pyuthan on Saturday and Bhairahawa on Sunday. He is scheduled to head to Rolpa on Monday, Dang on Tuesday and Salyan on Wednesday.

Sashank, who had earlier visited the eastern Tarai to listen to the grievances of cadres, is reportedly outside the Valley at the moment. Former general secretary Prakash Man Singh, too, made it to Karnali and Bheri recently to visit party leaders.

Top brass on tarai tour

Deuba to Kailali, Kanchanpur

Poudel to East Tarai

Sitaula to Morang, Jhapa

Shekhar to Pyuthan, Bhairahawa

Sashank also outside the Valley