Just as the government plans to hold three-tier elections in the next 18 months as part of the implementation of the constitution, the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), which needs to be taken into confidence if the government were to execute its roadmap, has hinted that it will not sit for talks until its key demands are met.

In response to the talks invitation extended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday, the Morcha on Thursday wrote to the government with its seven-point preconditions for returning to the negotiating table.

After approving a roadmap for holding local body elections by December 2016, state assembly elections in April-May 2017 and elections to the federal parliament by December 2017 on Thursday, PM Oli now is preparing to call a meeting of all major parties to seek support in favour of the roadmap.

While the main opposition Nepali Congress does not seem convinced with the roadmap, the Morcha has its own concerns when it comes to the government plan to hold three elections in the next 18 months.

The Morcha, which has been calling on the government to form a judicial commission to probe into killings in the Tarai during the five-long-month protest, has said it will not sit for “meaningless dialogue” until its demands are met.

“The prime minister wants the NC and other parties to join the talks,” said Bishnu Rimal, chief political adviser to PM Oli. According to leaders, PM Oli is for taking all the dissenting parties into confidence for holding the polls. But Within the UML, some are making a pitch for holding elections even if the Morcha refuses to participate.

“The proposed elections will be held even if the Morcha does not participate,” said UML Secretary Bhim Acharya. “The process will not stop just because some parties refuse to participate,” he added.

Laxman Lal Karna, vice-chairman of Sadbhawana Party, said, “We are

waiting for government response to our seven-point preconditions.”

Karna was quick to add that he did not see any immediate possibility of talks with the government.