Madhes-centric parties have stressed that at least “a tentative deal” on demarcation of federal boundaries was necessary to end the current Tarai standoff even as the major parties try to get a buy-in of the agitating parties on the two amendments to the constitution.

They argue that major parties’ reluctance to discuss the issues of demarcation has disrupted the talks.

“They (major parties) have been deliberately prolonging the crisis by running away from talks,” said Laxman Lal Karna, co-chairman of the Sadbhawana Party. “You cannot expect the talks to progress until they are ready to discuss federal boundaries,” he added.

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has reiterated its demands for two provinces in the Tarai along with amendment to disputed clauses pertaining to proportional and inclusive representation, election and citizenship.

“The amendment of constitution alone is not sufficient to stop this protest. There should be at least a tentative deal on boundaries,” said Ashok Rai, senior leader of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal.

The Sushil Koirala-led government had registered bills at Parliament, seeking a guarantee on inclusive and proportional representation of Madhesi communities in all state bodies and delimitation of electoral constituencies based on population.

Madhesi leaders have agreed to accept the proposals if some of the wordings used in the amendment proposal are changed.

During informal talks with the SLMM, leaders of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) have said they are ready to make necessary changes.

However, major parties remain deeply divided over the demarcation. The NC and UML have insisted that the issue of demarcation would be revised later, while the UCPN (Maoist) has been lobbying to settle all issues in a package.