Madhesi leaders meet Indian envoy, warn of stringent protests after mid-April

KATHMANDU, March 24: Leaders of the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) have held joint meeting with Indian envoy Ranjit Rae at Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Half-dozen leaders of various Madhes-based political parties had reached the Indian Embassy in the morning for a breakfast meeting.

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Madhesi leaders later told reporters that they did not discuss any political issues as the invitation was just for extending greetings on the occasion of Holi festival. Earlier, the UDMF had issued a public notice urging Madhesi people not to celebrate Holi this year to protest government's turning deaf ear to their demands.

"No political discussion were held, as we were just invited to extend Holi greetings," Tarai Madhes Shadbhawana Party (TMSP) leader Ram Naresh Raya told Republica.

Federal Socialist Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahanth Thakur, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato, Nepal Sadbhwana Party Chairman Anil Jha, Madhesi Peoples' Rights Forum-Republic Chairman Rajkishore Yadav and TMSP leader Raya, among other leaders, had reached the Indian Embassy at Lainchaur.

On a different note, TMSP leader Raya further said that the UDMF has been working to intensify a nation-wide protest program after mid-April. "We waited for the government and major political parties to address our demands, but they didn't do anything during the window period," he said. "We will intensify protests immediately after mid-April."