Nepal parties to forge consensus to tweak statute

Nepal’s three major political parties Monday decided to reach a consensus on a bill to amend the new Constitution to resolve the current political crisis amid the ongoing protests by Madhesis demanding greater representation and review of provincial boundary demarcation.

The three parties held a meeting at Baluwatar which was attended by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, UCPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda, Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala and general secretary of the party Prakash Man Singh.

“A meeting of three major parties and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front will be convened soon to make a common opinion among the political parties regarding the Constitution amendment bill tabled in the Parliament and the ongoing Madhes movement,” according to the Prime Minister’s press adviser, Pramod Dahal.

Madhesis, largely of Indian-origin, are agitating over the new Constitution demanding more representation.

They are also protesting division of their ancestral homeland under the seven-province structure and have led an ongoing blockade of key border trade points with India.

On Sunday, Maoist chief Prachanda told Prime Minister Oli that the three major parties need to forge consensus on the demands of the agitating Madhesi parties.

During the meeting Prime Minister Oli informed Prachanda about his meeting with senior leaders of Madhes-based parties and the main Opposition Nepali Congress.

Similarly, Premier Oli also met vice-president of Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum — Democratic Rameshwor Raya Yadav.

During the meeting, Mr Yadav informed the Prime Minister about the problems of Mashesis.

The Prime Minsiter assured him about his seriousness in addressing these issues.