There are two issues that the government should prioritise at this moment—post-earthquake reconstruction and the implementation of the constitution. After major delays, the government is finally moving ahead with the first.

However, there has hardly been any progress on the second issue. Implementing the constitution is not simply a technical matter. Before that is done, it will be necessary to reach some kind of accommodation with the Madhesi parties, and accordingly revise the federal model included in the constitution. But that requires a level of trust between the major parties and the Madhesi groups, which there is very little of as of now. The two sides have not even sat for a meeting since February 18, the day when the Oli government announced the formation of a political mechanism to resolve the boundary dispute; the government refused to address the demands of the Madhesi parties pertaining to the authority and terms of reference of the mechanism. And Madhesis also have taken issue with Prime Minister Oli’s decision to form the mechanism unilaterally. As a result, they refused to participate in the mechanism.

Since then both sides have been blaming each other for the impasse. Government representatives claim that the main reason why the mechanism has been unable to do its work is because the Madhesi parties have refused to join it. But beyond the blame game, the government has done very little to assure that the mechanism will actually address the main disputed issues; the mechanism has also not been granted sufficient authority to make its recommendations binding, the aggrieved parties insist.

Given the long history of intransigence that the ruling parties have demonstrated towards the Madhesi parties, this is a plausible argument. If a negotiated solution is to be found, there is no option for the government but to create an environment of trust, and demonstrate flexibility and genuine intention to reach a negotiated compromise.

Frustrated, the Madhesi Morcha has now decided to resume protests. But there are severe costs and

consequences of renewed mass protests. The five-month long protests in the Tarai caused much hardship and suffering to the population, and led to much alienation and anger. New Delhi’s ‘unofficial’ blockade only complicated the matter further. The Morcha should thus demonstrate restraint this time around and refrain from violence.

It would be best if the Madhesi leaders postpone plans for street action for a while, and seriously try to negotiate with the major parties. They should cultivate especially the Nepali Congress, which has appeared more amenable to addressing their demands, as an ally in negotiations with the government. It is true that reaching a settlement will be difficult. But there is no option other than negotiation.