Big parties approach Madhes parties for talks

KATHMANDU, Sep 8: With all major Madhes-based political parties boycotting the Constituent Assembly (CA) process, the big political parties have started informal talks for holding dialogue with the disgruntled political parties.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang has also drawn the attention of the leadership of major political parties to approach the political parties boycotting the CA process at a three-party meeting held on CA premises on Tuesday. At the meeting, major political parties have decided to approach the Bijay Gachhadar-led Madhesi Peoples Right Forum (Democratic) and other Madhes-based political parties for talks.UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Baburam Bhattarai held talks with Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) chair Mahantha Thakur and urged him to join dialogue for resolving the disputes in the CA. "Our leaders have assured Thakur that our party will pressure the government to withdraw the army deployment decision, and for release of their supporters arrested during the recent protests," said Dahal's close aide Chudamani Khadka. When Thakur sought assurance from Dahal for implementing past accords reached with the Madhesi groups, Dahal and Bhattarai told him to raise the issue at the negotiating table.

Subsequently after meeting with Thakur, Maoist top leaders visited CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli with a view to persuade him to heed Thakur's demands. The leaders urged Oli to take initiatives for the talks for bringing back the MPRF-D and other disgruntled political parties on board the constitution writing process.

Nepali Congress (NC) leaders are also set to hold a meeting with MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachhadar on Wednesday morning.

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