Youth leaders of the Nepali Congress have urged the party leadership to launch a special campaign in the Tarai-Madhes region in order to strengthen the party organisation.

Submitting a report on Tarai-Madhes to party President Sushil Koirala, party Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba on Saturday, around half a dozen youth leaders led by Biswho Prakash Sharma, called on the trio to revitalise dialogue and relations with Madhes. The youth leaders had recently visited Tarai districts to study the ongoing Madhes movement and party’s position there.  

They advised the party brass to send special representatives to Tarai districts to raise awareness about the rights ensured by the new constitution. The youth leaders are of the view that the Constitution Amendment Bill registered in Parliament should be endorsed by taking the Tarai parties into confidence. The youth leaders suggested that the party leadership settle the disputes over demarcation based on consultation with experts. “The untoward statements from some party leaders regarding Madhes should be stopped, allowing only the official position of the party to be made public,” read the report the youth leaders submitted.

The youth leaders said the stands taken by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato regarding Madhes were not appropriate.

Koirala said genuine demands of the Madhes-based parties would be addressed through dialogue and consensus. Senior leader Deuba said the Constitution Amendment Bill would address the demands of Madhes, Dalit and marginalised communities.  Poudel also said the party was ready to address the demands.