In a concept paper concerning the demands of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) submitted on Sunday, the NC rejected the key demands of four Madhesi parties saying that the issues require ´further clarity´ as to what they actually mean. The NC likewise has maintained silence on the demand for one Madhes autonomous state in the concept paper. [break]
Earlier, the alliance of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF), MPRF-Democratic, Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhawana Party had put forth its demands on three broad agendas -- peace process, constitution-drafting and Madhes -- to garner their support for new government. The four Madhesi parties have a total 82 seats in the parliament.
Talking to journalists after handing over the party´s concept paper to the four Madhesi parties at Singha Durbar, NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said they agree on most of the demands put forth jointly by the Madhesi parties. "However, we need to discuss further on some of the demands. They require clarity," he said.
NC has also rejected the demand of Madhesi parties to withdraw the decision of forming State Restructuring Commission (SRC).
"The commission was formed after a series of meeting between the three parties (NC, Maoists and UML)," said Dr Mahat. The commission will consider different concepts on state restructuring suggested by various parties and arrive at consensus, he added.
NC maintains that the issue of one Madhes state is something to be determined by the SRC, which will be comprised of experts.
NC said the party is not in position to make any decision on contentious issues as most of its leaders are currently in districts for local level conventions. "We can arrive at a decision only after holding party´s central working committee meeting," added Dr Mahat.
In the 13-point concept paper, NC has agreed to make security agencies inclusive, implement all the agreements reached with the Madhesi parties, prepare draft of new constitution by mid-April 2011, ensure law and order in the Tarai and hold talks with agitating armed groups in the eastern hills and Tarai.
Among other things, the NC has also expressed commitment to introduce a ´practical policy´ to address the issues of citizenship for Madhesis and to address the problem of desertification and inundation in the Tarai as demanded by the Madhesi parties.
The Madhesi parties, which continued to hold meeting among themselves after their meeting with NC, could not reach any decision on Sunday. They will again hold meeting on Monday to decide who to support in the run-off election for prime minister.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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