The Madhes-based parties of late are proactively engaging with the diplomatic community to seek international support as they plan their next move.

According to leaders, the Madhes-based parties are simultaneously also working on the ground to expand the oraganisational base to launch fresh protests.

In the last few days, Madhesi leaders have separately met senior Indian, American and Chinese diplomats as well as representatives of the United Nations among other members of the international community “to explain their position and to seek their support”.

The meetings, held in the backdrop of painstakingly slow progress in talks with the government, have raised speculation over the form of protest that Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, is planning to launch. The Morcha leadership has threatened to resume “stern programmes of protest” from May if the major parties continue to snub their demands that include revision of federal boundaries.

Coinciding with the Holi festival, the SLMM leadership on Thursday met Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae. During the meeting, the Madhesi leadership sought India’s renewed support for the protest and asked New Delhi to mount diplomatic pressure on the Kathmandu establishment.

Morcha leaders claim that the Indian side appeared “more sympathetic” to them in the recent meeting.

“India abandoned our movement halfway after reaching a deal with the Kathmandu establishment. We have felt that they have realised that they should have done more to press Kathmandu,” claimed a Morcha leader.

The Morcha leadership has also intensified meetings with the diplomatic community in Kathmandu to seek support.

 “We have found the entire international community including India, America, China and the United Nations sympathetic to our cause. The government had ignored our demands despite their concerns,” said Upendra Yadav, chairman of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal. Last week, representatives of the United Nations had held a meeting with Yadav and other leaders.

SSFN Co-Chair Rajendra Shrestha, who is currently in the US, is also scheduled to meet senior UN and US officials to seek support for Madhes movement.

The Morcha leaders had also sought Indian support during their separate meetings with Indian bureaucrats and politicians in Kathmandu, New Delhi and Patna in the recent months.

Leaders said that their next move would depend on “how government treats” them.