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The warning from the UDMF, an alliance of five Madhesi parties, came during a meeting with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Monday. The meeting reviewed implementation of the agreement signed by Dahal and leaders of Madhesi parties on August 29. [break]
During the meeting at the prime minister’s residence, the chairmen of the Madhes-based parties expressed concern over delay in implementing the agreement relating to Madhes agendas, including enacting an inclusion law, recruitment of Madhesis in the Nepal Army and addressing citizenship problems.
“We said there has been no progress in implementing Madhesi agendas,” said Chairman of Madhesi People’s Rights Forum-Republican (MPRF-R) Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta.
Asked if they gave any ultimatum to the Maoists over addressing Madhesi issues, Gupta said, “We did not issue such an ultimatum, but I stated that the present coalition is in trouble.” In response, Bhattarai and Dahal assured Madhesi leaders they have not backtracked from the agreement and reiterated commitment to addressing the agenda mentioned in the agreement.
“We’ll move ahead implementing the agreement slowly,” Ganga Shrestha, personal secretary of the prime minister, quoted Bhattarai and Dahal as saying.
The Maoist party and UDMF are scheduled to meet again Saturday.
“Both sides agreed to resolve Madhesi issues through further dialogue; the prime minister said we should address the problem through more talks and homework,” Gupta told Republica.
Similarly, UDMF leaders had asked the prime minister and the Maoist chairman whether they want to form a national consensus government in alliance with the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, keeping the UDMF out.
In reply, Bhattarai and Dahal said they are not out to form a national consensus government without Madhes-based parties, according another participant.
Madhesi leaders took exception to the prime minister saying recently that he had to please the UDMF to keep the coalition intact.
Similarly, Madhesi leaders criticized State Restructuring Commission (SRC) coordinator Dr Madan Pariyar for saying that North-South divisions for states would be appropriate for Nepal.
Madhesi leaders had accused the prime minister and the National Planning Commission of not cooperating with ministries led by Madhesi parties for implementing agreements on programs to be included in the annual budget.
Mahato wants Gachchhadar out
Meanwhile, Chairman of Sadhbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato demanded that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar step down if he cannot advance Madhesi agendas falling under ministries held by him. Gachchhadar is defence minister also.
According to Madhesi leaders, the UDMF is not satisfied with Gachchhadar’s performance regarding Madhesi issues.
A meeting of the UDMF scheduled for Monday was postponed at the eleventh hour. The Madhesi alliance has convened a meeting for Wednesday.
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