Peace minister renews talks offer to Madhesi groups; TMLP asks govt to first respond to 11-pt demands
Peace and Reconstruction minister Ram Chandra Poudel (File Photo)
Peace and Reconstruction minister Ram Chandra Poudel Monday renewed the government's offer for talks with all armed and unarmed Madhesi groups.
Speaking at a programme in Sindhupalchowk, Poudel said that the seven-party government was serious in its goal to restore peace and institutionalise democracy in the country by resolving the issues raised by all the disgruntled groups through talks.
The peace minister, who is also the government's chief negotiator, said that since dialogue is the best means to resolve the problems the agitating Terai groups like Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) should not shy away from coming to the negotiating table.
Poudel has repeatedly invited the Terai groups for dialogue, but has not got positive response from any of those groups.
Meanwhile, the TMLP has asked the government to first of all respond to its 11-point demands submitted to the Prime Minister early this month.
The party, on Monday, said it would not sit for talks with the government unless it came up with an official view on the demands.
TMLP's major demand is for a single Terai Madhes autonomous province with the right to self-determination and moves to ensure equal representation of Madhesis in all organs of the state. The party has been demanding the autonomous governance in administration, judiciary and all other sectors.
According to TMLP's spokesperson Sarbendra Nath Shukla, the party will take part in the CA election if its demands are fulfilled. nepalnews.com mk Jan 28 08
