Madhesi parties' rider for support to NC-led government

KATHMANDU, July 18: The four Madhesi political parties which are being courted by the Big Three have asked Nepali Congress to state its view on three issues in a meeting held at the latter’s Parliamentary Party office in Singha Durbar on Sunday.



"The NC sought our support for the government under their leadership," Chairman of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Upendra Yadav told reporters after the meeting. "We asked them how they planned to ensure the writing of the constitution in time, taking the peace process to its logical end and how they intend to address the Madhesi agenda, which, among others, includes creation of autonomous provinces." [break]



Almost all top leaders of the four parties – MPRF, MPRF (Democratic), Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhawana Party – were present in the meeting that went on for more than an hour beginning 2.15 p.m. Besides Yadav, TMDP chief Mahantha Thakur and, SP chairman Rajendra Mahato attended it. MPRF (Democratic) leader Bijay Gachchhadar was represented by Rameswar Raya Yadav and Jitendra Dev.



MPRF chief Yadav said that the Madhesi parties would hold further discussion among themselves before announcing their support.



NC Spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC told the mediapersons that the talks with the four parties were "positive". He declined to divulge details of the meeting.



With the Big Three – UCPN (Maoist), the NC and CPN-UML – still unable to forge consensus and exploring all options for government under their leadership, the support of the four Madhesi parties, which have revived their practically defunct united front, could tilt the balance.



The NC on Saturday decided to stake claim for the government under the leadership of its vice president Ram Chandra Poudel. In response, the UCPN (Maoist) announced it was open to prime ministerial candidate other than party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The two parties sought each other´s support for the government under their leadership



Madhesi parties-Maoist meeting at 5 p.m.



Meanwhile, a Madhesi leader told reporters that they are scheduled to meet the leaders of the UCPN (Maoist) at 5 p.m. in Singha Durbar on Sunday. The Maoists have floated the idea of a government under "left, progressive front" and are seeking of political parties to that end.

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