PM, SPA articulate their bottom line on Madhes demands
The Prime Minister and the Seven Party Alliance have articulated their bottom line vis-à-vis the demands raised by agitating Madhesi groups.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala made his intentions clear. “The demand for right to self determination, which jeopardises the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, will not be acceptable even if any power of the world pressurizes,” PM Koirala said, in Biratnagar, speaking at a programme held to award journalists in memory of first death anniversary of his sister-in-law Nona Koirala.
“The demand for one Madhes one province and right to self determination will be settled by the Constituent Assembly election,” he added.
The demand for single Madhes province and regional autonomy with right to self determination have been raised by major agitating groups in Madhes.
Prime Minister’s bottom line has come just two days after the visiting Indian leaders’ delegation had told reporters in Kathmandu that PM was ready to fulfill all demands of Terai – “except inviting UN intervention and compromising on sovereignty.”
On Saturday itself, the meeting of the steering committee of the ruling SPA also made an important decision regarding the Madhes issue.
“It has been agreed that no demand that needs further amendment of the constitution can be addressed at this point,” Leftist Front leader CP Mainali said.
The SPA agreed that demands like right to self determination and changing the election system to ensure 50 percent of candidacies in closed-lists for Madhesis, cannot be fulfilled.
On other demands, the SPA has instructed the government to proceed with its talks with Madhesi leaders.
As the leaders of United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) have been warning of ‘decisive agitation’ in case their demands are not met immediately, the bottom line expressed by the PM and the SPA, analysts fear there could be further instability in Madhes region in the coming days affecting the April election. nepalnews.com sd Feb 17 08
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