Madhsi Leaders Reject Nepal Govt Deal, Meet NC Leaders

22 December, Kathmandu

In Nepal,Madhesi leaders Tuesday rejected government’s “abstract” proposal to accommodate some of their demands by amending the new Constitution. Upendra Yadav, one of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leaders spearheading the agitation in southern Nepal,said: the abstract proposal won’t solve the current crisis.

UDMF demands include delineation of provinces,population as basis for constituencies and proportional representation.

The front said agitation and blockade would continue till the government meet all demands put forth by Madhesi parties.One of the senior Madhesi leader termed the three-point roadmap prepared by Nepla government faulty and unacceptalble to UDMV.

However, after UDMF-NC talks at party president Sushil Koirala’s residence in Maharajgunj, Nepali Congress leader Mahesh Acharya said the meeting was heading towards a positive direction.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the 11-point demands presented by the front. NC urged Madhesi groups to take up their issues through the Constitution amendment process.

The Constitution Amendment Bill already tabled in the Parliament incorporates only two major demands: proportionate representation of the Madhesis in all state mechanisms and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population.

Nepal’s Cabinet has decided to set up a political mechanism to recommend solutions to disputes over the proposed provincial boundaries within three months of its formation.

But Madhesi leaders said they want issues related to citizenship certificate distribution and re-demarcation of the provincial boundary addressed along with their other demands.