Govt-UDMF talks put off again; UDMF leaders to visit India for discussing tarai unrest

Kathmandu / Devember 4: The much awaited tripartite talks between the government, opposition and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) scheduled for Friday has been called off.

This is the second successive time the meeting has been called off. CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said the meeting was put off owing to the busy schedule of the UDMF leaders.

Morcha leaders had earlier met Indian envoy Ranjit Rae at Indian embassy in Kathmandu today. The leaders of major three parties Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist waited leaders of the morcha for long time but the latter did not show off.

Before the proposed meeting the big three parties have prepared a three-point joint proposal to forge consensus with the agitating Madhes-centric parties.

The proposal was prepared during the three-party meet at Baluwatar Friday evening. Leaders committed to finalise the state delimitation issue within three months by forming a political committee and enshrine it in the constitution.

The meeting also decided to take ahead the constitution amendment proposal registered by earlier government on proportional inclusive representation and electoral constituencies.

Meanwhile, it has been learned that the top leaders of the agitating UDMF will visit New Delhi and meet the Indian leaders including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their concerns over the ongoing Madhes agitation in Nepal.

The chairman of Sadbhawana Party, which is a constituent of UDMF, confirmed that the chief of parties affiliated with the UDMF are visiting India. The leaders mentioned that the leaders of other political parties, particularly the ruling parties, had misled the Indian leadership bout the Madhes agitation and Madhesi leaders so Madhesi leaders are going there to clear the doubts of the Indian leaders.

Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has left here for India to participate in a talk programme on Nepal-India Economic Relations and Durability to be organised by the World Bank.

However, his visit ahead of the proposed visit of UDMF leaders is seen with great significance as he has been standing on the side of agitators after leaving UCPN-Maoist. Some sources informed that he is likely to attend the meeting between Indian leaders and UDMF leaders.

During his stay in India, the former Prime Minister is also reported to hold talks with senior political figures in India. However, the details are not yet known. He is returning home on December 6, according to his personal secretary Bishwadeep Pandey.