During the meeting, the Maoists presented in writing their responses to the demands raised by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of four Madhes-based parties, seeking Madhesi parties´ support to form a Maoist-led government. [break]
“We are neither positive nor negative on the written reply presented by the Maoists. We will hold a meeting of UDMF on Sunday and make our views public,” said co-chair of the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) JP Gupta.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Maoist Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha said that his party agrees with the spirit of the demands of the Madhes-based parties.
“There is no reason for the UDMF to disagree with the Maoists if they don´t have other reasons,” said Shrestha.
Going by their Maoist response, the two sides however have considerable differences. The Maoists have differed with the UDMF on the latter´s demand for making the entire Tarai strip as one Madhes state and UDMF´s definition of pluralism in the new constitution, although they have agreed to adopt a competitive political system.
The Maoists have not agreed with the demand for bulk recruitment of the Madhesis into the state security forces including the Nepal Army. The two sides also had differences over the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants into state forces.
Maoists have stated that they cannot fix any standard norms for the integration of the combatants saying that would amount to recruitment, not integration, something “against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”
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