The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has decided to boycott talks with the government as the major parties prepare to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill that was tabled despite the Tarai parties’ opposition.

The decision, which comes after weeks of internal and external discussions and dilemma over the agitating parties’ next move, shows a growing trust deficit between the government and the disgruntled Tarai forces.

The SLMM leadership on Thursday agreed not to sit for talks with the government unless the latter offers a clear position on a list of its demands, including the federal boundary revision.

Besides demanding two provinces in the Tarai, the Morcha seeks amendment to the provisions of the new constitution related to inclusion and proportional representation, delimitation of the electoral constituencies and citizenship. Sadbhawana Party General Secretary Manish Kumar Suman said the SLMM has agreed to additional programmes of protest to press their agendas. Suman said the next two weeks of their protest would focus on Tarai districts east of Koshi River and west of Narayani River and the Hills.

Mahantha Thakur, chairman of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, said it was meaningless to talk as the government looked determined to put the bills to vote in Legislature-Parliament for endorsement. He said the recent activities of the government had created a climate of distrust and raised serious questions about its intent to resolve the Tarai crisis through dialogue.

“We repeatedly told them that we are ready for open discussion on boundary revision if they make it clear

how far they can go east and west. But they are not even ready to discuss the boundaries,” said Thakur.

Morcha leaders have expressed serious concerns over talks between the government and other fringe agitating parties. The government is currently holding talks with various fronts led by JP Gupta, Matrika Yadav, Tharuhat/Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee and the Muslim Front.

“It’s a design to divide protesters and weaken the agitation,” said a Morcha leader. Madhesi leaders attending the meeting said the discussion was also focused on the understanding reached between Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa and the Indian establishment in New Delhi.

Indian leaders had advised the Morcha leadership to agree to the four-point roadmap formulated to address the concerns of Madhesi parties in phases, according to Morcha leaders.

Morcha leaders are scheduled to meet again on Friday before making their decision public. Leaders said the meeting would decide to obstruct Parliament besides unveiling fresh protest programmes.

Hardening stance

- No dialogue without clear govt response on state boundaries

- Morcha accuses govt of trying to unilaterally endorse amendment