Describing the Cabinet decisions taken on Sunday to address the demands of Madhes-based parties as “ambiguous, incomplete and abstract”, the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has rejected the three-point offer, which according to SLMM leaders “falls short of addressing the concerns raised by the Madhesi communities”.

The offer does not propose amendment to the constitution in the spirit of the past agreements, said SLMM leaders. “Nor does it make any tangible commitment on redrawing of provincial boundaries.” The SLMM has made redrawing of provincial boundaries their key demand.

In its three-point decision, the government has said: “Taking the concerns raised by protesting parties about boundary demarcation into account, an appropriate arrangement will be made in the constitution through a political agreement. For such a political deal, a political mechanism will be set up, and the mechanism will submit a report with suggestions in three months.”

“The decision is unclear, incomplete and abstract. It does not ensure delineation of the electoral constituencies on the basis of population. Nor does it ensure inclusive and proportional representation of Madhesi, Janajati, Dalit and other marginalised groups in all state bodies,” said Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav.

Morcha leaders on Tuesday held an emergency meeting to make an official position on the government’s three-point decision, which was welcomed by India on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, during his meeting with the Morcha on Monday, had proposed “necessary revisions” in the Constituent Amendment Bill to address the issues related to electoral constituencies and inclusive and proportional representation.

But Morcha leaders involved in the informal discussion said that the government did not seem willing to even retain the provisions, which were guaranteed in the interim constitution, in the amendment bill, making it extremely hard to find a meeting point.

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur said that the Morcha cannot accept the proposal under existing format, as it is no different from

the proposal they had rejected earlier.

“Many things are still unclear—not only the issues related to boundaries but also the other key issues, including delineation of electoral constituencies. It’s too early to comment on the possibility of an agreement,” said Thakur.

SLMM seeks Big 3’s unequivocal pledge

Leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha have said that they could support the government’s offer “if the major parties make a pledge unequivocally to redraw the federal map by addressing their demand of at least one more province in the Tarai”.

But they have stressed that the Constitution Amendment Bill must carry the provision of the interim constitution.

In a meeting with the top leaders of the Nepali Congress on Tuesday, the Morcha asked the main opposition’s support for retaining the provisions of the interim constitution in the amendment bill, besides seeking a clear position on demarcation.

The Morcha leaders, who are under pressure from different quarters, including India, to find an early solution to the crisis, are reluctant to accept the government offer, fearing backlash from their constituencies.

Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae on Monday had suggested the Morcha leadership that they continue to engage with the government to “find an early solution to the current crisis” from within the proposal. “It’s true that India is exerting pressure, but we cannot betray the people by accepting a deal that cannot justify the protests in which over 50 people have lost their lives,” said a Morcha leader.