Formal talks may have stalled but the frequency of bilateral and informal consultations between the three major parties and the agitating Madhesi Morcha has increased, leading to more substantive dialogue between the two sides.

In the past week alone, nearly one dozen meetings were held—sometimes two in a day—between the two sides. This has facilitated a candid debate on each other’s positions, leaders say.

The Madhes-based parties, which have conditionally agreed to constitutional amendments, have proposed removing the “one district, one constituency” provision from electoral laws. They have also said they are open to other alternatives that ensure the representation of people living in sparsely populated regions.

In its current form, the Amendment Bill that the government has registered in Parliament to address the Madhesi concerns upholds the privilege for the less populated hilly districts, Madhesi leaders say.

The proposal is one of the several conditions put forth by the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) to support the Amendment Bill.

Another key condition forwarded by the Morcha to the ruling parties and Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, is revoking the existing provision that ensures equal representation for all the federal provinces in the national assembly. The constitution provisions eight seats for each state in the upper house.

“Giving special concession to less populated areas is a different thing. But how can the Madhes with around 5 million people and the Karnali province with merely 1.5 million population have equal representation. This is unfair,” said Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur.

Thakur, stressing that redrawing the federal boundaries remains their key concern, said they are positive about gradually resolving the demarcation row through the proposed high-level political mechanism within three months.

The SLMM has also sought revision to the provision pertaining to proportional and inclusive representation of marginalised communities in the state bodies. The regional parties claim that the mention of “proportional and inclusive representation” in the directive principles of the state makes no difference as the government is not obliged to abide by it.

Directive Principles are not binding provisions. “Proportional and inclusive representation should be mentioned in all key articles to ensure representation of its intended beneficiaries,” said Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav.

After both the ruling parties and the main opposition remain firm against any immediate changes to the federal map, the Morcha has changed its strategy to “strike a respectable deal” on the Amendment Bill. The Tarai parties have been demanding two provinces in the plains ever since their protests intensified four months ago.

The Morcha has hinted at ending their agitation including obstruction at the Nepal-India border if they are given “a face-saving deal” in the proposed constitutional amendments. Without this, the Madhesi leadership would neither support the bill nor stop the protests.