UDMF-Big 3 talks end inconclusively

Madhesi leaders adamant against delineation through commission

KATHMANDU, Oct 8: Negotiations between the talks teams representing three major political parties and the agitating Madhes-based political parties remained inconclusive on Wednesday as Madhesi leaders turned down the major parties' proposal to entrust the responsibility of resolving disputes on delineation of provinces to a commission.

During the dialogue with the agitating parties on the second consecutive day on Wednesday at Singha Durbar, United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leaders involved in the talks insisted that the disputes on delineation should be resolved immediately through a political agreement rather than through a commission.

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"Our proposal was to entrust a federal commission the task of resolving the delineation issues," UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said. "However, the agitating parties demanded a political agreement first."

According to the leaders, agitating UDMF has sought a new delineation proposal from the three-major political parties. "Three parties or government are not authentic body for reviewing the state delineation. It should be done through a federal commission and endorsed by consensus of major political parties," said Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya.

UDMF talks team member Laxmanlal Karna said that formal dialogue on issues of the new constitution is possible only after the big three parties present their proposal for negotiations. "We have urged talks team to come up with a three-party agenda for the talks on constitutional issues," said Karna.

Agitating parties have complained that their pre-conditions for formal talks were not fulfilled by the government so far. In response, the three parties said they were serious about addressing the pre-conditions set by the agitating force.

The three-party talks team has also proposed forming a federal commission at the earliest, tasking it with suggesting revisions on provincial delineation.

After political negotiation remained inconclusive, the three-party talks team urged the agitating UDMF to withdraw their protests from Nepal-India border.

Both talks teams have agreed to hold next round of dialogue on Friday.