National
Morcha seeks concrete proposal
The agitating Madhes-based parties have asked the government to come up with a concrete proposal on disputed issues of the constitution, including demarcation of state boundaries, if it is genuinely committed in resolving the Tarai crisis.The agitating Madhes-based parties have asked the government to come up with a concrete proposal on disputed issues of the constitution, including demarcation of state boundaries, if it is genuinely committed in resolving the Tarai crisis.
Madhesi leaders blamed the major parties for failing to give a clear roadmap to address their demands. But they are hopeful that the stalled talks will resume soon.
“The government is responsible for the delay in talks. We want them to act instead of just making public announcement,” said Sadbhawana Party Co-Chair Laxman Lal Karna. “Why isn’t the government serious even when the entire community has been suffering untold hardship due to scarcity of daily commodities?” He said that the delay in forming a talks panel and putting forward agendas has raised doubts over the government’s intent. Morcha leaders, engaged in negotiations, said three major parties have not been able to come up with unified views on revising the federal setup—a major demand of the Madhesi and Tharu groups—even after making their position clear.
“We have already told them what we want. They should make their position clear before entering into negotiation,” said Hridesh Tripathi, a leader of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party.
Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), the major front of four Madhesi parties protesting against the constitution, has already formed a cross-party talks panel. The panel includes Karna, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal leader Lal Babu Raut, TMLP General Secretary Sarbendra Nath Sukla and Namnaresh Rai of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party. The leaders said there could be changes in the panel depending on talks team of the government.
The SLMM, which participated in the prime ministerial election, has also started an internal discussion to participate in the elections of the President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker. A Morcha leader said they are planning to file candidacy for at least one position after discussions with other allies.