KATHMANDU, Aug 14: Top leaders of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) have reiterated their demand with Prime Minister KP Oli to withdraw the cases filed against their leaders and cadres.

Expressing their dismay over the failure of the government to withdraw cases against their cadres during the recent Madhes movement, the RJPN presidium members put forth their demand during their meeting with Prime Minister Oli on Sunday evening.

A member of the RJPN presidium said they put forth the demand saying that they were facing difficult situation within the party as the court cases against their cadres were not withdrawn as promised. “These are political cases. Political environment will be vitiated if they are treated as ordinary cases,” said a leader, asking not be named.

The RJPN leaders also asked Prime Minister Oli to do the needful to allow Resham Chaudhary, who was elected for the House of Representatives from Kailai-1 during the recently held parliamentary elections, to take oath as lawmaker.

In response, Prime Minister Oli had said that the government won't be in position to do anything to the cases that are already sub judice in the court. He, however, assured that they could resolve the cases concerning other leaders and cadres.

The demand of RJPN leaders comes amid the court issuing arrest warrant against the party's provincial minister and a mayor on the charge of murdering a police official in the course of the recent Madhes movement. “Let's first make a list of the cases against all the political leaders and cadres. We can then discuss what can be done,” the leader further quoted the prime minister as saying.

RJPN leaders also complained with Prime Minister Oli that the government had also failed to expedite the process of amending the constitution as promised in the three-point agreement reached with them before. “With regard to constitution amendment, we will first hold discussion in the cabinet. We will then inform you about this,” the prime minister had told the leaders.

Although the RJPN leaders had sought an appointment with Prime Minister Oli five days ago, the prime minister met them only Sunday evening. The RJPN had earlier decided to extend support to the government in parliament after the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) promised to amend the constitution to address their major concerns.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli had also requested RJPN to join the government. However, the leaders said they can't join the government until their key demands are met.