RAUTAHAT, Sept 30: Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur hinted that an agreement is likely between the agitating Madhesi parties and the government within two to three days.
Speaking at a mass meeting organized jointly by United Democratic Madhesi Morcha (UDMF) and Muslim alliance at Rautahat district headquarters Gaur on Wednesday, Thakur said an informal agreement is underway between the government and the disgruntled parties.
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If the agreement takes shape in the informal meeting, the formal meeting will be held to ink the deal betwen the two sides within three days.
Thakur returned to Gaur from Kathmandu after meeting President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. He will hold a meeting with the other leaders of the UDMF and will inform them what was discussed in the meeting.
Federal Socialist Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato, Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Chairman Mahendra Raya Yadav are currently in Siya Palace Hotel in Gaur.
The following are the excerpts taken during an interview with Chairman Thakur for Republica Online by Bishwamani Pokharel and Madan Thakur.
Republica: Are the talks underway with the government? What is happening?
Thakur: If the government really wants to resolve the Tarai riot, the deal will be reached within two to three days. However, there is a crisis of confidence. If the parties do not arrive at consensus, it will take a long time, too.
Republica: You have already held one round of meeting with a team from the government. How is the progress?
Thakur: The issue is complex. Many deals have been sealed in the past but the government does not implement them.
Republica: You have also talked to PM Sushil Koirala. How far have the talks reached?
Thakur: The current government is a coalition government. It is not led by the Nepali Congress alone. Sushil Koirala cannot sort it out alone even if he wishes. CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) have also an equal role in the government.
Republica: What is the root cause behind this entire problem?
Thakur: Informal talks are underway. If the talks go as expected, there will be agreement in three days.
Republica: What are the major demands of the Madhes protest?
Thakur: The major demands are the implementation of the past agreements. They have already been codified in the interim constitution. The government first should withdraw army and armed police force from the Tarai belt to create environment conducive for talks. The government should declare those killed in the demonstration as martyrs, provide compensation to the families of the killed, treatment for the injured; withdraw cases filed against the protestors and release those arrested during the protest. If the government is ready to act accordinly, the talks will be held.
Republica: Don't you think that the ongoing protest will go out of control? It seems the people in general are enraged and are out of control.
Thakur: This is a common nature of the people. The people would be in control only in an armed movement. Ours is not an armed movement. For all this, government is responsible.
