Leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, a coalition of seven Tarai-based parties protesting against some provisions of the new constitution, met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday.

During the meeting held at Dwarika Hotel in the Capital, Morcha leaders discussed about the Tarai crisis and recent political developments.

Morcha leaders told the chief minister of the adjoining Indian state that the first amendment to the constitution had addressed some of their demands

but stressed that several others including revision of the federal boundaries were yet to be met.

Sadbhawana Chair Rajendra Mahato, Sharat Singh Bhandari of the Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party, Ashok Kumar Rai of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal and Brisesh Chandra Lal of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party attended the meeting from Morcha’s side.

SLMM leaders said Kumar’s concerns were mainly over Morcha’s demands and the progress made to resolve the Madhes crisis. According to Lal, Kumar stressed the need for greater cooperation among all the political parties in ending the dispute and taking the nation forward on the path of peace, prosperity and development.

Kumar, who was elected the chief minister of the neighbouring Bihar for second term last year, was in Kathmandu to attend the general convention of the Nepali Congress. Kumar also met prominent leaders including President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Former President Ram Baran Yadav.