Online Khabar
Kathmandu, October 7 . The United Democratic Madheshi Front and the three major parties have started discussions on political agendas.
On the second day of formal talks with the three parties, UDMF put forth a 27-point charter of demands that its lawyers had prepared to amend the new constitution.
The Madheshi front has sought amendment of 31 clauses. Lal Babu Raut, a UDMF negotiator present at the meeting, said the front will not budge an inch on its stance. Including these provisions means rewriting the constitution, he maintained.
Among other things, UDMF has demanded delineation of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and appointment of naturalised citizens in constitutional posts.
The front said the present delineation of provinces is unacceptable. It has demanded two provinces in the southern plains – one from Jhapa to Chitwan and the other from Nawalparasi to Kanchanpur. On their part, the three parties said they cannot fulfil this demand. They proposed resolving the issue of delineation of provinces through a federal commission. UDMF turned down this proposal, a source said.
The meeting is taking place at the State Affairs Committee hall in Singha Durbar. The government has pledged to provide free treatment to those injured in course of the Madhesh movement.
From the UDMF, Laxman Lal Karna, Sarbendra Nath Shukla, Lal Babu Raut and Ram Naresh Ray are holding talks. Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya, CPN-UML leader Agni Kharel and UCPN-Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha are attending the parleys on behalf of the three parties.
