Raghuji Panta, the political advisor to the prime minister, said the government has already begun formal and informal talks with MPRF leadership about making the fifth largest party a part of the UML-led coalition.
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“Our relation with the government will largely depend on how sincerely will the government address our demands. If the government addresses our demands, we can then consider joining the present government,” Yadav told myrepublica.com on Monday.
MPRF, which has strained relation with the incumbent government ever since it was formed in May, handed over a memorandum to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal last Sunday before Yadav flew to New Delhi to meet Indian leaders. The party split in May over the issue of joining the present 22-party government. Until recently, the party was warning of launching protests against the government.
The memorandum demands the government to implement the eight-point and 22-point agreement signed with the United Democratic Madhesi Front in 2007 and 2008 besides reinstating Paramananda Jha as vice president. Jha became defunct as vice president after the Supreme Court nullified his oath of office and secrecy. Besides, MPRF demands also include better representation of Madhesi people in the new recruitments by the police and other political appointments. The demand list also includes passage of the bill on inclusion that ensures due representation of Madhesi and Janjatis in state organs, including the army.
Reading the mood of MPRF, the government has already started works to address the MPRF demands by sending a formal letter for talks. Besides, the government has already begun formal and informal talks with MPRF leadership on sharing the government.
“The government has been studying the demands of the MPRF seriously. We have also started formal and informal power-sharing talks with MPRF leaders,” Panta told myrepublica.com, “The talks are moving toward positive direction.”
Yadav, who himself was a minister in the Maoist-led government that stepped down in May over the army chief row, said that his party´s change of mind about the government was not due to his New Delhi visit. "I met Indian leaders just to exchange views. I wanted to know their [Indian leaders´] views on the present political situation, peace process and constitution-writing process."
kiran@myrepublica.com
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