Mukherjee meets political leaders

Published On: November 4, 2016 08:19 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee held separate meetings with leaders of the three major political parties and with Madhes-based leaders on Thursday, the second day of his visit to Nepal.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held separate meetings with the Indian president. Senior leaders from their respective parties also joined the meetings. Heads of various Madhes-based political parties called on Mukherjee jointly.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal hosted a dinner for the Indian head of state at Dwarika’s Hotel, Thursday evening.

Madhesi leaders informed Mukherjee that they have been pressing for amendment for the effective and full-fledged implementation of the Constitution that was promulgated amidst their protests last year.

“We discussed about ways for effective execution of joint projects,” said NC leader Minendra Rijal. “Since it was just a courtesy call, we didn’t hold agenda-wise discussions,” said UML lawmaker Rajan Bhattarai.

NC chief Deuba subsequently held a one-on-one meeting with the Indian president for around five minutes.

During their meeting with Mukherjee, Madhesi leaders informed him that they have been pressing for amendment for the effective and full-fledged implementation of the Constitution that was promulgated amidst their protests last year.

“Talking to leaders from the ruling and other major political parties, I found that they have been taking initiatives for the amendment. So, I hope the demands [of Madhesi parties] will be addressed,” Rajendra Mahato, chairman of the Sadbhavana Party, quoted Mukherjee as saying. 

Mukherjee met former president Ram Baran Yadav and former prime minister and CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal earlier in the day. 

According to leaders privy to the meeting with Yadav, the Indian president underscored the need of cooperation among major political forces for the effective implementation of the Constitution. “The political parties should stand together and find a solution through cooperation,” sources quoted Mukherjee as saying to Yadav. 
In response, Yadav told him that there was no option for Nepali political parties other than to join hands because the Constitution can’t be implemented without cooperation among the major political forces.

During his meeting with CPN-UML senior leader Nepal at the Hyatt Hotel, they discussed issues of mutual benefit and bilateral interest, reads a statement issued by the UML foreign affairs department.


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