Indian embassy ‘mediates’ talks between NC leaders and UDMF
In what is a clear sign that India has stopped seeing the Terai problem as Nepal's ‘internal matter’, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu hosted a meeting between leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) Wednesday to cause a possible breakthrough in the talks that has been marred by latter's stand on greater autonomy and right to self-determination for Madhes.
The meeting comes two days after the NC leaders and UDMF talks team discussed the latter's six point demands at prime minister's residence at Baluwatar. The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) meeting was to take place on Wednesday to form a position on UDMF demands, after which the government was to hold talks with UDMF the same day, but both could not materialize.
Although details of the meeting which is said to have been held with the mediation of the Indian embassy is still not clear, the Kathmandu Post reported Thursday that NC leaders and UDMF were closer to an understanding over the latter's demands and would sit for another meeting Thursday to reach consensus.
"There are some sensitive issues and we can't share them now until we reach an understanding," the Post quoted an unnamed participant as saying, who also added that the meeting was ‘positive’.
While NC leaders Dr Shekhar Koirala and Mahesh Acharya including others represented NC in the meeting, the UDMF was well represented by Jaya Prakash Gupta, Rajendra Mahato and chairman of UDMF Mahantha Thakur.
During the meeting, the NC leaders also stressed that Constituent Assembly (CA) election needs to be held on time.
However, Kantipur Daily - the sister publication of the Post - reported that the meeting ended inconclusively, as UDMF leaders remained adamant on their stand for a ‘autonomous Madhesh state’ till the last moment.
"The talks ended inconclusively," Madheshi Janadhikar Forum's central member Upendra Jha told Kantipur after the meeting, adding, "The government talks team was not ready to accept our demand for a autonomous Madhesh state under no circumstances."
It is learnt that the government called the meeting at the embassy to exert additional pressure to UDMF to stop their agitation in the Terai.
The Indian embassy, however, denied that any such meeting took place at its premises, according to the daily. nepalnews.com ag Feb 21 08
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