UMDF prepares to hold talks with the government

The agitating United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) is preparing to hold talks with the government on Sunday.

A member of the UMDF talks team Mahendra Yadav has said that he expects that talks could be held after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala returns to the capital from Biratnagar on Sunday.

The UMDF, on Saturday, had formed three member talks team headed by Anil Kumar Jha of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), Mahendra Yadav of Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Ratneshwore Kayastha of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).

The UMDF, which has called indefinite bandh in Terai region since last five days, has already put forth six point demands to the government including designating whole of Madhes as single province and declaring the region autonomous with right to self determination.

Earlier, on Saturday, PM Koirala had told reporters in Biratnagar that he will not fulfill demands like one Madhes, one province and right to self determination, which he said would jeopardise nation's sovereignty and integrity. nepalnews.com sd Feb 17 08