The CPN-UML has turned down the request of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to assist in the passage of constitution amendment bill registered at the Legislature-Parliament.

In an all-party meeting convened at Baneshwor, Kathmandu on Tuesday, PM Dahal urged CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli to lend support for the amendment bill in a bid to bring the agitating Madhes-centric parties on board.

In response, the chairman of main opposition party (CPN-UML) rejected the PM’s request, according to Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik (MJF-L) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar.

PM Dahal summoned the all-party meeting a day after the government announced to conduct the long-overdue local level elections on May 14.

Madhesi Morcha—an alliance of seven Madhes-centric parties—announced stir programmes starting today after the government announced the election date without first concluding the statute amendment process as demanded by the Morcha.

Gachhadar further said the meeting was focused on bringing the Madhes-centric parties on board the election process. According to Gachhadar, the issue of state demarcation was a heated topic in the discussion. Leaders present in the meeting discussed various alternatives for resolving demarcation row such as formation of Federal Commission, high-level political mechanism or any other method.

The Madhesi Morcha boycotted the all-party meeting.

Also read: Madhesi Morcha boycotts all-party meeting