KATHMANDU, Dec 11: Following the India visit of Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa and top leaders of the agitating Madhes-based parties, talks between the agitating side and major political parties have entered into the core contentious issues. After the talks on Thursday, leaders hoped that they would find a solution addressing the ongoing agitations, within the next 10 to 15 days .
At Thursday's talks, the major political parties proposed to move forward with the constitution amendment bill registered in parliament, taking the consent of the Madhes-based parties. The agitating parties reiterated seeking a solution in a package.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the Madhes-based parties to support tabling the bill on the reconstruction authority and the constitution amendment bill. In reply, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur said they are ready to support tabling the bill on the reconstruction authority but want a solution in a package regarding the demands of Madhes.
"The major parties are now seen to be ready to discuss the core contents of our 11-point demand. Likewise, we all are aware of the economic crisis now obtaining. Seriousness has surfaced amongst the leaders and we can hope that a solution could be reached within the next 10 to 15 days," said Sarbendra Nath Shukla, TMDP spokesperson.
According to leaders, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has been pressing the major parties to settle the issue of provincial delineation before tabling the constitution amendment bill in parliament. "We now at least want a public commitment from the major parties on how and on what basis the provincial delineation would be changed," said one Madhesi leader.
At the same time, the major parties are in a mood to seek the consent of Madhes-based parties on the constitution amendment bill before tabling it in parliament. The existing amendment bill registered in parliament is believed to address UDMF demands for ensuring proportionate inclusion and delimiting electoral constituencies on the basis of population. The major parties are ready to discuss the contents of the bill with the agitating parties and develop a consensus on moving it forward.
"The major demand of the ongoing mass movement is change in provincial delineation. We cannot agree to seeking a solution in parts. Cadres and people in the streets are not ready to accept any agreement without change in delineation," said Shukla.
A Madhesi leader hinted that the UDMF is ready to discuss the content of the constitution amendment bill but will continue with its protests unless the provincial delineation is changed.
"After the leaders' Delhi visit, we are flooded with sms and messages from people in Madhes saying not to seek a political solution in parts. Thus, we cannot support moving forward with the amendment bill unless those cadres receive a positive commitment on changing provincial delineation," said the Madhesi leader.
According to the leader, the UDMF is ready to discuss an informal proposal floated by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a meeting with Madhesi leaders at the house of a noted non-resident-Nepali. "During the meeting, Prachanda (Dahal) had proposed splitting Morang, Sunsari and Kailali districts to meet our demand. Though our leaders did not welcome the proposal, they had hinted to Prachanda that the proposal could be a solution," he said.
However, Shukla denied there was such a meeting and said the solution to the issue of provincial delineation should be based on the five disputed districts -- namely Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur -- not on three.
TMDP Chairman Thakur and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav returned to Kathmandu from Delhi late on Wednesday evening. It is said the Indian establishment suggested to the leaders to seek a political solution to the crisis soon through talks.
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