KATHMANDU, Sept 27: United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has expressed serious objections over an understanding between the three major political parties to fix the number of village councils and municipalities taking the previous units (ilaka) as the basis for delineating the local units.

The UDMF meeting on Monday urged major political parties not to proceed forward with the idea of considering ilakas as the basis for restructuring local units. "The UDMF meeting has concluded that the idea of ilakas itself is not contemporary as well as scientific," said Keshav Jha, the general secretary of Tarai Madhes Socialist Party.

"If the major parties proceed with the idea, we will not only reject the local elections but also disrupt it," said Manish Suman, the general secretary of Sadbhavana Party.

Leaders from the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) at a meeting held at the prime minister's official residence at Baluwatar on Sunday evening had reached an understanding in principle to delineate village councils and municipalities taking the previous ilakas as the basis. There were over 900 ilakas in the 75 districts.

Earlier, the commission formed to fix the number and boundaries of local units had proposed 565 village units.

UDMF to meet PM over their political demands
Meanwhile, the UDMF has decided to have a meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal seeking his clear idea for meeting their political demands.

"The PM has been claiming of having informal discussions with various leaders regarding the constitution amendment. He has been discussing his perceptions regarding the issue but yet to come up with concrete idea. The UDMF will meet him either on Tuesday or Wednesday," said Suman.

"Likewise, we will seek clarification from the PM over the delay in withdrawing cases against the protestors of the Madhes movement last year.

He had assured us to withdraw such cases from the very first cabinet meeting under his leadership," said Jha.
  

 
• united democratic madhesi front
 
• three-party agreement
 
• village councils and municipalities
 
• local govt units