Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav on Sunday said that time had come to explore alternatives to the incumbent government irrespective of whether it addresses the demands of the agitating groups.

He blamed Prime Minister KP Oli, who assumed office on October 11, for the delay in finding a solution to the Tarai crisis. “The PM is acting like an extremist even when the main opposition has accepted that our concerns are genuine,” said Yadav.

During an interaction at the Reporters’ Club in the Capital on Sunday, Yadav charged that the government was trying to prolong the Tarai crisis for the benefit of people in the government “who are earning through black marketeering” of essential commodities.

“Trucks carrying petroleum products are coming in through all entry points with India expect Birgunj in a large number every day. But there is an acute crisis in the market as the government itself is involved in black market,” said Yadav. He added that growing extremism both in the Hills and plains was harming the social fabric.