The agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has urged the main opposition Nepali Congress to take lead in ending the current political impasse. This comes two days after the major parties tabled constitution amendment proposal in Parliament amid opposition from the Morcha.

Despite introducing additional programmes of protest on Friday, Morcha leaders are proactively engaged in informal talks with the major parties for an early settlement through dialogue.

SLMM leaders told NC leaders that they were ready to support the amendment

bill after revising its wording. But they demanded an understanding on demarcation

as prerequisite.

Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav said that Saturday’s meeting was fruitful in understanding each other’s views on “contemporary political situation, political conflict and political solutions.”

“We still believe that the current stalemate could be resolved through negotiation and dialogue but what is the use of dialogue if you don’t want to enter into substance even after 16 different sittings,” said Yadav.

The Madhesi leaders said that they would sit for talks once the government agrees to discuss on the substances.

Amid growing pressure to end the protest from all sides, the SLMM leadership is seeking at least a “trustworthy warranty” on carving another province in the Tarai plains. They fear that a deal without demarcation might make it hard for them to justify the protest and may not get public approval. They also dread rival parties in Madhes might use the incomplete agreement to defame them and prolong the protest.

NC leaders, including party President Sushil Koirala, said the party was positive both towards rewording the amendment bill and resolving differences on other issues.

“Their concern was in wording of the amendment bill and federal boundaries. We are positive towards finding a common ground in resolving all issues. NC would take the initiative to address the issues based on mutual consensus of all parties,” NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said after the meeting.

With the ruling parties

and opposition sticking to their position on state boundaries, the Morcha leaders

said they were trying to find a solution that would be acceptable to all.

“We can’t exactly tell what can be the solution now. But discussions are on to seek the meeting point,” said a Morcha leader. The ruling parties, which plan to make “necessary revision” on federal boundaries through appropriate mechanism in the next three months, have announced to put the amendment bill for discussion on Wednesday.

However, the SLMM has been demanding a “framework deal” on a separate province in the country’s southern plains besides redrawing the boundaries of the Madhes province.