Government proposes to sort out demarcation disputes through commission

Kathmandu, March 15: The government has proposed the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) unhappy with some provisions within the constitution to sort out contentious issues except the demarcation of provinces through the constitution amendment before upcoming local election.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal ‘ Dahal’, during his meeting with UDMF leaders and representatives of other political parties carrying the Madhes agenda at Singha Durbar today, proposed to endorse the constitution amendment bill before upcoming local-level election by leaving out the issue of demarcation and settle it by forming a commission.
“In the meeting, Prime Minister Dahal proposed us to immediately pass the issues of citizenship, language and representation in National Assembly incorporated in the bill and to deal with the demarcation issue after local poll,” said Mahantha Thakur, Chair of Tarai Madhesi Loktantrik Party, who was present in the meeting on behalf of UDMF.
The UDMF informed the Prime Minister that it would sit for an internal meeting today itself to take a decision regarding his proposal, he added. “The UDMF takes the position of opposition in the Legislature-Parliament since the beginning.” Leader Thakur was of the view of addressing the demarcation issue while passing the amendment bill.
The government seemed ready to reconsider on the constitution amendment matter, said Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato, one of the participants in the meeting. The UDMF would sit for an internal meeting to decide how to respond the government proposal.
On the other hand, Gobinda Acharya, Press Advisor to the Prime Minister, stated the meeting was positive.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal co-chair Rajendra Shrestha, Tarai-Madhes Sadbhawana Party chair Mahendra Yadav were also present in the meeting. RSS