The Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of the Madhesi and Janajati parties, has said the constitution amendment proposal should honour the three-point agreement the alliance of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Nepali Congress signed with it before the formation of the government three months ago.

The alliance also warned it would not be obliged to take ownership of the amendment draft unless the government shows genuine interest to address the concerns of the marginalised communities over the constitution. The remarks come amid preparations of the governing parties to table an amendment proposal in Parliament. DPM and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Wednesday said the government was preparing to table the proposal by mid-November.

A meeting of the alliance held in Kathmandu on Thursday also decided to draw Parliament’s attention toward the demands of the Madhesi and Janajati parties. Nine fringe parties affiliated to the Gathabandhan, which have representation in the House, are scheduled to meet on Friday to explore ways to campaign in Parliament on behalf of amendment.

“The constitution should be amended in line with the three-point agreement that calls for fully incorporating the concerns of the Madhesi and Janajati parties. We cannot accept anything less,” Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Co-chairman Rajendra Shrestha told the Post after the meeting.

The disgruntled Madhesi and Janajati leaders have hardened their position after sensing the government’s reluctance to touch upon some thorny issues pertaining to the federal boundaries.

On Wednesday, SSFN Chairman Upendra Yadav had warned of resuming protests if the amendment proposal failed to satisfy them.

Madhesi leaders are particularly concerned over the issues of federal boundaries. They want a package deal on boundaries including the disputed districts of Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur. The government seems to be preparing to carve out another province in the western plains but has declined to divide the territories in the five districts between the Hills and plains provinces as demanded by a section of the Tharu and Madhesi communities.