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Maoists 'agree' to address Madhesi demands in supplementary bill

CPN (Maoist) has "tentatively agreed" to include a phrase "Madhesh as autonomous region" in the draft of the supplementary constitution amendment bill.

In a meeting with the top leaders of former arch rival Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Thursday morning, the Maoist leaders agreed to include the aforesaid phrase in the amendment bill and table it before the Constituent Assembly (CA), which also acts as the legislative body, for endorsement. At the same time the Maoist leaders also said that though their party respects the aspiration of the Madhesi people for autonomy, they would also want incorporation of the aspiration for autonomy of other indigenous communities in the bill as well.

However, the Maoist leaders haven't yet decided on the demand of "group entry" of Madhesis and other communities into Nepal Army, it is learnt.

Senior Maoist leader Mohan Vaidhya 'Kiran' said that as per the demand of the Terai-based parties, the phrase 'Madhes as autonomous region' will be included in the draft bill and then will be brought before the parliament. He said that they reached an agreement on the issue after Madhesi leaders said that they are ready to accept the final verdict of the Constituent Assembly on the bill.

"The Maoists have accepted our demand," said MJF leader Bijay Kumar Gacchedhar.

Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav and other senior leaders of both the parties were present in the meeting that took place at the parliamentary office of the Maoist party inside Singhdurbar.

In the meeting, the MJF leaders also asked the CPN (Maoist) to bring other political parties including the CPN (UML) into consensus on the matter.

However, CPN (UML), the third largest party that has staked its claim over the post of president, has already objected to the demand of "One Madhes province" raised by Terai-based parties like MJF, Terai Madhesh Loktantric Party (TMLP) and Sadhbhawana Party (SP) to declare whole of Terai as a single Madhes province.

CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal had yesterday said that his party won't support
the government's proposal if it presents the supplementary bill in parliament by including the "Madhesh as autonomous province" provision thereby curtailing the fundamental rights of other peoples, and also the provision allowing "group entry" into Nepal Army (NA).

Instead of that, UML has proposed to add "Nepal as a federal democratic republican state structure, incorporating aspirations for autonomy of provinces for people from Madhes, indigenous communities and backward regions" in Article 138 of the interim constitution. nepalnews.com ag July 03 08