Top leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, are meeting on Wednesday to forge a common position on contentious issues of the constitution.

The meeting has been planned just as the Morcha and the governing parties prepare to start negotiations for constitution amendment.

The governing parties— CPN (Maoist Centre) and Nepali Congress—and the SLMM are expected to start fresh negotiations, possibly from next week, to find a political solution to the Tarai crisis, for which the government has pledged to register a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament by mid-October.

 “I have heard the government is planning to register an amendment proposal before Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to New Delhi. We are hoping that the negotiations will start soon,” said Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato.

PM Dahal is leaving for India on September 15.

Morcha’s bid to hammer out a common position on key issues has become imperative in the wake of divergent views from its constituents. Besides, the governing parties and the Morcha are planning to form a joint task force to iron out contentious issues, and the Morcha is under pressure to have a common view for sending members to the task force.

Redrawing of provincial boundaries with at least two provinces in the Tarai plains is one of the key demands of the Morcha. It has also demanded that its concerns regarding proportional representation and citizenship among others be addressed.

Though the new government has pledged to address the agitating parties’ demands, the governing parties are yet to come up with any formal proposal.

“The Maoist Centre and the NC look positive about addressing our concerns. There has to be give and take on both sides,” said Rajendra Shrestha, Co-chair of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal.