Kathmandu, October 30
The coordinator of a high level political talks team formed by the government to carry out conversations with disgruntled political groups says the team will not hold talks with CK Raut, who has been advocating for the establishment of Madhesh as a separate state.
Lawmaker Som Prasad Pandey says the government will not hold talks with Raut because he has never put forward his demand with the state politically.
Pandey further adds, “We have not planned any meeting with Raut as his activities are targeted at splitting the nation or promoting secession.”
He, however, maintains that his team had identified Raut’s group as well among 32 political groups that have been expressing dissatisfaction with the constitution.
In an interview with Onlinekhabar, Pandey says his team is in conversation with Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’-led Maoist party as it identified itself as a political group. “We have initiated informal discussions with them,” Pandey informs.
“Most of their demands are for the country and its people. After all, they are not in favour of splitting the country. Purely, they are a political party,” he says, “Therefore, we want to hold talks with them though their activities are a bit extremist.”
In total, the team is in conversation with 17 political groups, including 12 based in Terai, according to the leader.
