Big 4 to hold talks with Madhes-based parties

KATHMANDU, July 28: Four major political parties -- Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi People's Rights Forum (Democratic) -- have decided to hold talks with the agitating Madhes-based parties in a bid to address the latter's concerns over the new statute.

A meeting of the four major parties held at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Monday evening took a decision to this effect.Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel confirmed the decision taken by four major parties. "We plan to hold a meeting with the top leaders of the Madhes-based parties tomorrow [Wednesday]. The meeting is still uncertain as most of their leaders are currently outside the capital," he said.

The four-party meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 am Wednesday at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar. Sources said the meeting may be delayed as it will take time for the top Madhesi leaders, who attended a protest rally in Biratnagar on Monday, to arrive in Kathmandu.

During the four-party meeting held in Baluwatar, chief whips of the four parties had briefed the top leaders on public feedback on the draft constitution. "Top leaders of the four parties are scheduled to hold discussions on how the suggestions can be incorporated in the new statute," said NC Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha.

Four major parties have decided to put maximum efforts to settle boundaries of provinces before the promulgation of new statute as it is one of the key demands of the Madhes-based parties.

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