Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Tuesday that the proposed political mechanism to sort out differences related to provincial boundaries would be formed prior to his departure to India.  

Addressing the Legislature-Parliament, days ahead of his visit to India, Prime Minister Oli said, “The ongoing political deadlock will be resolved once the political mechanism comes in place.”

Parties had earlier agreed, in principle, to form such a mechanism which will make recommendations on redrawing of provincial boundaries in three months from the date of its formation.

PM Oli argued that differences between the government and the Madhesi parties “have been narrowed down” and that remaining differences “will be sorted out after the mechanism is formed”.

In his 40-minute address, PM Oli spent a considerable amount of time on formation of the mechanism and constitution amendment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa in his second visit to India in December had floated a four-point plan aiming to address the demands of the Madhes-based parties. Formation of a political mechanism was part of the that four-point plan.

“Major concerns of the dissenting parties have been addressed through the first amendment [to the constitution]. There is still more room for amendment if needed,” said PM Oli.

PM Oli’s address to the House on Tuesday to inform lawmakers about his India visit beginning Friday came as a rare instance in Nepal’s parliamentary history since 1990, as prior to this, PMs used to inform the House about their visits only after their return.

PM Oli said his meetings in New Delhi would dwell on taking Nepal-India relations forward for the mutual benefits of both the countries as per the need of the 21st century and wiping out misunderstandings.

“My visit will focus on taking the age-old close relations between Nepal and India forward with a new perspective, and there should not be any misunderstanding between the two countries,” he said.

Stating that Nepal always stands for peace, unity, mutual benefits and dignity, PM Oli said Nepal’s foreign policy has been directed through non-aligned movements, the five principles of peaceful co-existence and the UN charter.

He said that during his visit he would do the needful to garner support for Nepal’s reconstruction efforts and development works.

He also informed the House about his scheduled visits to Uttarakhand where he will observe the Tehri dam and Bhuj of Gujarat where he will take stock of reconstruction efforts carried out by the Gujarat government. A major quake had rocked Bhuj of Gujarat in 2001.

• The political deadlock will be resolved once the political mechanism comes in place
• Differences between the government and the Madhesi parties have been narrowed down and remaining differences will be sorted out after the mechanism is formed
• Major concerns of the dissenting parties have been addressed through the first amendment [to the constitution]. There is still more room for amendment if needed
• My visit will focus on taking the age-old close relations between Nepal and India forward with a new perspective, and there should not be any misunderstanding between the two countries
• Nepal always stands for peace, unity, mutual benefits and dignity. Nepal’s foreign policy has been directed through non-aligned movements, the five principles of peaceful co-existence and the UN charter