The ongoing MPRF central committee (CC) meeting on Friday took a decision to this effect. The party is likely to make its decision public on Saturday. [break]
“We decided to withdraw our support to the government as it has failed to recruit Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army (NA) and to implement the issues raised by Madhes-based parties in the four point agreement,” Arjun Bahadur Thapa, a CC member, told Republica.
MPRF leaders have accused the government of failing to make any substantial progress in the peace process and constitution writing. They have also accused the government of using arbitrary force against the underground outfits operating in the Tarai.
Presenting a political paper at the CC meeting, MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav criticized the government for delaying the passage of inclusion bill. He also claimed that the State Restructuring Commission would strengthen the centre, limit the power of federal provinces and push back efforts to institutionalize the achievement of the Madhes movement.
According to MPRF leaders, deliberation at the CC meeting will continue on Saturday.
UDMF discusses progress on 4-pt pact
Meanwhile, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has begun discussions over the progress made on Madhesi issues raised in the four-point agreement between the UCPN (Maoist) and the Madhesi alliance prior to the prime ministerial election.
At the meeting on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, who is also Chairman of MPRF-D, informed the leaders that his ministry has expedited the process to address the issue of citizenship raised by Madhesi community in the Tarai. He also claimed that the process of recruiting Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army would begin very soon.
“I have been in consultation with the Maoist leadership and the prime minister to begin the process,” General Secretary of MPRF-R Aatmaram Sah quoted Gachchhadar as saying at the meeting.
The apex court on December 26 had stayed the government decision to recruit youths from Madhesi and marginalized communities in the NA.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice-chairman of Sadbhawana Party Laxmanlal Karna asked the leadership to clarify the rationale for the Madhes based parties to stay in the government.
“What is the point in staying in the government, if we can not work for the cause of Madhes and Madhesi people?” argued Karna at the meeting.
The UDMF leaders will also meet on Saturday to review the progress made in the four-point agreement so far.
Related story
UML decides not to withdraw its support to Koshi govt
