MPRF-R mulls pulling out of govt

KATHMANDU, Feb 26: Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republican (MPRF-R) has said that it will reconsider participation in the present government if the prime minister fails to convince them about implementation of the four-point agreement reached between the Maoist party and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) prior to the prime ministerial election.



The ongoing central committee meeting of the MPRF-R on Saturday decided to form a three-member talks team under party Acting Chairman Rajkishor Yadav to hold talks with the government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) to seek their views on the agreement that concerns various issues related to Madhes. [break]



Yadav was made acting chairman of the party after the Supreme Court handed down a one and half year jail sentence and a fine of Rs 8.4 million to JP Gupta.



“The team will hold talks with both the government and the UDMF to learn their views on Madhesi issues yet to be acted on under the four-point agreement and on the government´s work plan to expedite various Madhesi issues in the context of the Supreme Court verdict,” said General Secretary of MPRF-R Atmaram Sah, adding, “The party will decide whether to remain in the government, following our talks with the Madhesi alliance and the government.”



Acting Chairman Yadav said MPRF-R will quit the government if they are not convinced over implementation of their demands. “We will ask the government how it would move ahead with Madhesi issues including the SC stay order on recruitment of Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army, citizenship by descent and postal roads,” added Sah.



At the meeting, the central committee members put forth their view that it would be meaningless to continue in the government if the four-point agreement cannot be implemented.



The central committee meeting also decided to file a review petition against the SC verdict on MPRF-R Chairman JP Gupta, who has been jailed for corruption. “We have been preparing a review petition over the SC verdict,” said Rajlal Yadav, who is also Minister without Portfolio.



Similarly, the meeting decided to stage torch rallies at district headquarters across the Tarai Monday to protest the SC verdict.



The meeting, which began Thursday, will continue Sunday. MPRF-R leaders say they would come up with a clear view after the central committee meeting.



The Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted Gupta of a corruption charge upon finding that he had movable and immovable property worth Rs 8.4 million from unknown sources after holding public office in different capacities.

Related story

Biska Jatra begins in Bhaktapur