Lawmakers have stressed the need for incorporating the demands of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) before endorsing the Constitution Amendment Bill, which is being discussed in Parliament.

Speaking in the House on Thursday, cross-party members said the protests had erupted in the Tarai as some of the demands were not addressed before promulgating the new constitution. They advised their parties and the government not to make any haste but try to seal a deal with the Madhes-based parties.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Ananda Prasad Dhungana said dissatisfaction emerged in the plains as public aspirations were not accommodated in the new constitution. “Top leaders failed to keep their promises which caused problems. They should now be addressed,” said Dhungana.

CPN-UML leader Rajendra Pandey said the constitution should be amended to address the demands of the regional parties.

He was of the view that no one should object to the amendment process. He warned that the country could face more problems if the Amendment Bill was endorsed without taking the disgruntled parties into confidence.

UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Aman Lal Modi said problems were created as the big parties were not ready to embrace the principle of inclusive representation and to address the demands of the marginalised communities. “The amendment should address the demands of the Tharus, Madhesis, Janajatis and other marginalised communities,” said Modi.

“In the past, we registered an amendment proposal but that was blocked. This created the problems,” said NC lawmaker Nagendra Kumal. Echoing him, UML lawmaker Yagya Raj Sunuwar said the Amendment Bill should address the demands of the Madhesi and Janajati constituencies.

Theoretical discussions on the bill have been prolonged with a view to forming consensus with the agitating Tarai parties.