Acting chairman of MPRF-R Rajkishor Yadav and Central Committee Member Sitaram Agrawal on Tuesday afternoon handed over a memorandum to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai in Singha Durbar demanding that the issues be addressed immediately. [break]
The present coalition government was formed on the basis of the four point pact between the UCPN (Maoist) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) in August.
According to Yadav, they told the prime minister that there is no point in MPRF-R staying in the government if the latter makes no progress in the implementation of the agreement. “We told the prime minister that we cannot compromise on Madhesi issues,” said Yadav.
In response, Prime Minister Bhattarai reiterated that he was committed to addressing the issues raised in the four-point agreement. “I will discuss with the defense minister and chief secretary regarding the recruitment of Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army (NA) and with the attorney general regarding citizenship issue,” Yadav quoted Bhattarai as saying at the meeting.
The Supreme Court has stayed recruitment of Madhesi youths in the NA and distribution of citizenship certificate to children of citizens by birth across the Tarai.
According to Agrawal, the prime minister said that he needs a couple of days to hold necessary talks on the issues.
Bhattarai also urged MPRF-R leaders to pick a candidate for the post of communications minister that has remained vacant since Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta was sent to jail. The prime minister has currently been holding the portfolio.
“We clearly stated that we will nominate a candidate for the post only if we are convinced of the implementation of Madhesi issues,” Yadav added.
In the memorandum, MPRF-R leaders have also expressed their concern over recent statements made by some leaders of the major political parties that the new constitution can be promulgated by keeping it silent on federalism.
“We have asked the government and the UCPN (Maoist) to clarify their views regarding federalism,” MPRF-R General Secretary Atmaram Sah told Republica.
A central committee meeting of MPRF-R had recently formed a three member talks team comprising Yadav, Sah and Agrawal to hold talks with the prime minister and the Madhesi alliance over the implementation of issues raised in the four-point agreement.
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