During a meeting with NC President Sushil Koirala at the latter’s residence at Maharajgunj on Friday morning, Madhesi People’s Rights Forum-Democratic (TMDP-D) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato conveyed that they fully support the NC’s stance on CA term extension. [break]
All three Madhesi leaders maintained that the Maoists must hand over their weapons to the government to pave way for the formation of a national consensus government and conclusion of the peace process. “Madhesi leaders have expressed their full support to our 10-point demand. They have also asked us not to change our stance,” NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel told media persons after the meeting.
MPRF-D, TMDP and Sadbhawana Party constitute the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF).
Talking to media persons after the meeting, MPRF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said they would not support CA term extension under the current circumstances. “We formally briefed NC on our four-point demand for the extension of CA term. We also learnt about the NC’s demand,” he said.
TMDP Chairman Thakur told media persons that they would not support CA term extension unless their demands are met. “There can be no agreement unless the Maoists hand over their weapons to the government,” he said.
Among other things, UDMF has demanded handover of Maoist weapons to the government, resignation of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, categorization of Maoist combatants and guarantee of a democratic constitution for the extension of CA term.
MPRF (Republican) and TMDP-N join UDMF
The newly formed MPRF (Republican) led by JP Gupta and TMDP-Nepal led by Mahendra Yadav have formally joined UDMF on Friday.
A meeting of UDMF attended by Gupta and Yadav also endorsed the four-point proposal floated by UDMF earlier and decided not to support CA term extension.
A joint statement undersigned by all top leaders of UDMF constituent parties have demanded group entry of Madhesis in the Nepal Army and a credible ground for the conclusion of peace process and promulgation of democratic constitution, among other things.
Talking to Republica, MPRF (Republican) Chairman JP Gupta said the meeting also decided that the UDMF would be ready to go for fresh election if the government chooses to do so. “We have also asked Nepali Congress to be ready to face a fresh election,” he said.
The five Madhes-based parties command 71 seats in parliament.
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