Insisting that the Nepali Congress has always been the friend of Madhes, NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi has urged the protesting Madhes-based parties to help his party hold village, municipal and district conventions.

“Congress is Madhes-friendly political power. The success of its convention is the success of the Madhesi people,” Nidhi told the reporters upon his arrival at Janakpur Airport on Wednesday.

Hundreds of NC activists gathered at the airport to welcome Nidhi who has come to his home district for the first time since the promulgation of new constitution. The agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) activists intensified their protest, targeting the arrivals of Nidhi and other NC leaders in the district. They staged demonstrations in various places in Janakpur since early morning. There was a heavy presence of the security personnel in the area to avert a possible clash between the NC supporters and the Morcha activists.

On the recent attacks on the houses of NC leaders, Nidhi said that the SLMM’s violent activities would be counterproductive for them. He claimed the NC has been raising the issues of Madhes for years, even before the formation of the agitating Madhes-based parties.

Nidhi said the NC was ready to work with them to resolving disputes, including the issue of state demarcation.