Leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) have said they are ready to be part of the cross-party political mechanism formed to revise the federal boundaries if the three major parties agree to give it broader legitimacy with further clarity of its Terms of Reference (ToR).

The SLMM had earlier rejected the mechanism, which was formed on Thursday night under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa, saying that the government “did not consult” them before forming it and that the move was aimed at “appeasing foreigners”. The SLMM leaders have said they are expecting further negotiations over the legality and ToR after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returns from India visit.

“I think there would be further discussion on legality and ToR of the political mechanism,” said Rajendra Shrestha, co-chair of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal.

SLMM negotiators have expressed readiness to participate in the mechanism if major parties agree to provide statutory status to the mechanism by including it in the schedule of the constitution.

They have also demanded unequivocal assurance of at least one more province along the Tarai plains.

“There is still room for consensus if they agree to address our concerns over the legality and ToR of the mechanism. We are open for negotiations,” said Mahantha Thakur, chairman of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party.

SLMM allies are currently engaged in discussions to start another round of protests from March-end by taking all disgruntled communities. Leaders engaged in the discussions said that the nature of the protests would depend on the flexibility the major parties exhibit on the issues of boundaries.