Madhes-based parties have asked Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba not to deviate from his commitment to endorse the amendment bill before going to elections.

The regional parties said this during a meeting with NC President at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Sunday. During the meeting, Madhesi leaders warned of boycotting the elections if their concerns over the constitution are not addressed.

“The NC and Maoist Centre had given a written commitment to amend the constitution before forming the government. Now, the government is reluctant to honour it,” Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Chairman Mahanta Thakur told Deuba, according to a leader present in the meeting.

Thakur also urged Deuba not to announce the date of local elections until the bill is endorsed through Parliament.

During the meeting, Deuba assured the Madhesi leaders that the NC was determined to pass the amendment bill but refrained from giving the exact date.

The NC president said that he was holding discussions with various parties to garner two-thirds majority required to pass the bill through Parliament. He, however, defended government’s preparations for the local elections saying that both the election and amendment were need of the hour. 

“Talks are on with various parties. I urge you to reach out to other parties seeking support for bill instead of criticising the elections,” the leader quoted Deuba as telling the Madhesi leaders. He claimed that the main opposition UML would also support the amendment bill.

The Madhesi leaders met Deuba to seek a fresh assurance of the largest party two days after meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. In the meeting held last week, the PM had assured Morcha leaders that the agitating parties would be consulted before announcing the polls date.

While PM Dahal has been stressing the need to endorse the amendment bill before going to the local elections, Deuba is in favour to taking both the tasks forward simultaneously.