Visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has called on political leadership in Nepal to accommodate broader sections of the society in constitution implementation. 

In separate meetings with the main opposition CPN-UML and the Madhes-based parties, Mukherjee reiterated India’s message of need to take on board larger sections of the society in the constitution implementation process.

During his meeting with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and other UML leaders on Thursday evening, Mukherjee discussed issues surrounding the constitution implementation. Oli told Mukherjee that parties were preparing to resolve “all genuine outstanding issues”, according to leaders. 

According to UML Foreign Affairs Department Secretary Yadav Sharma, Mukherjee also discussed ways to expedite Nepal’s progress and using high-level visits for effective sharing of mutual experiences for the development and strengthening of bilateral ties.

The UML delegation included Vice-Chairpersons Bamdev Gautam, Bhim Rawal and Asta Laxmi Shakya, General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel and leaders Bishnu Poudel and Rajan Bhattarai.

Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal had paid a courtesy call on Mukherjee on Thursday morning. 

 Leaders of the Madhes-based parties, who met Mukherjee on Thursday evening, sought renewed support from India while urging New Delhi to play a more proactive role in resolving the row over constitution. 

In a meeting held with Mukherjee, the Madhesi leaders expressed their displeasure at New Delhi’s “flip-flop” on the issues raised by the Madhesi parties.

Top leaders of the seven Madhes-based parties under the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha also urged India to mount pressure on the Nepal government and three major parties to amend the constitution. 

According to Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato, Mukherjee enquired about the political negotiation taking place between the government and the agitating parties.  

“We told him that the Morcha cannot accept constitution unless there is necessary amendment to it to address the concerns of the marginalised and excluded communities,” said Mahato.

Mukherjee, according to a leader, expressed his hope that the agitating parties’ concerns would be addressed through amendment in the constitution.

“The government is working to amend the constitution for broader ownership of the constitution. I hope the issue will be resolved soon,” a Madhesi leader present in the meeting quoted Mukherjee as telling the Morcha leadership.