The Sanghiya Gathabandhan announced its first phase of protest programme on Thursday, a day after the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha withdrew its support to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. 

The Morcha had given a week-long ultimatum, asking the government to address a five-point demand including withdrawal of the decision to hold local elections scheduled on May 14 and endorsement of the revised amendment proposal. 

The meeting of the Central Movement Main Deployment Committee of Gathabandhan held under its coordinator Upendra Yadav decided to withdraw support of all the parties in the alliance to the government and begin a movement of disobedience and non-cooperation from Friday.

It was also decided to organise a public hearing on the need of local level elections within the provincial jurisdiction on March 25, followed by condolence meetings on March 26 at all district headquarters, including the one at Maitighar Mandala in memory of those killed in the Saptari firing, and burning of the Local Level Restructuring Commission report on March 27.

The alliance of Madhesi and Janajati forces also decided to hold demonstrations across the country between March 28 and April 3.