KATHMANDU, Sept 17: Relenting on its stance of rejecting dialogue with the government and major parties, the agitating United Democratic Madheshi Front on Thursday decided that it was ready to hold talks but said that its ongoing protest programs will continue.
The meeting of the front held in Kathmandu took the decision to that effect a day after the Constituent Assembly (CA) endorsed the Constitution Bill with an overwhelming majority.
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"While being open for talks, the front is determined to take the ongoing protest to a conclusion," a statement issued by the front read.
The meeting has agreed to mark September 20, the date for promulgating the new constitution, as a black day, and show their covering their mouth with black cloth, showing black flags, organizing silent rally and holding blackout in the evening.
The front has accused the government of suppressing the protest in Madhesh. "The government should have initiated the talks but they just tried to portray us as a force opposed to talks. We were never against the talks. In this scenario, as a responsible political force, we have decided to open the door for talks," said Manish Suman, the general secretary of Sadbhavana Party.
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