Madhesi parties seek their pie in deals

KATHMANDU, July 8:  Leaders from three Madhes-based political parties -- Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D), Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Sadbhabana Party (SP) -- in separate meetings with top leaders from the UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML on Thursday demanded that the big parties ensure their representation while reaching any agreement on government formation.



In the meetings, while Maoist and UML leaders sought support from the Madhesi parties in forming new government under their leadership, leaders from the Madhesi parties told the Maoist and UML leaders that they would support the alliance that commits to address the concerns of the Madhesi parties.[break]



"They said that they would back the alliance that is supportive to Madhesi agenda," Maoist Deputy Parliamentary Party leader Narayankaji Shrestha told reporters. He said the Maoist party was always positive about addressing the issues concerning the Madhesi communities.



"We urged them to support us in forming a national consensus government of the progressive forces," Shrestha said. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and three vice-chairmen of the party Mohan Baidya, Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Shrestha were present in the meeting held at the office of TMDP in Singhadurbar.



Later in a separate meeting, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal sought support from Madhesi parties to form a consensus government under UML leadership. "They have a serious concern that major parties ensure that their representation and their agendas shouldn´t be ignored while reaching major deals," Khanal said.



According to UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya, three Madhesi parties had a common stance that Maoist leadership in the new government wouldn´t be acceptable until the issues of Maoist combatants and arms are resolved.



Leaders involved in the talks said Khanal told Madhesi leaders that since there was no possibility of forming a consensus government under Maoist leadership, he expected a constructive role from the Madhesi parties in forging a coalition under UML or other party´s leadership.



"He said the UML is ready to lead the new government if parties are ready to offer the opportunity. He said he expects that Madhesi parties would play positive role if other parties are ready to form government under UML leadership," SP Co-chairman Laxman Lal Karna told reporters after the meeting.



Karna said they insisted that the whole Madhes region and the entire community mustn´t be bypassed while reaching crucial deals including the government formation.

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