Bhairahawa, July 13
Rajendra Mahato, chair of the United Democratic Madheshi Front-aligned Sadbhavana Party, talked to Onlinekhabar on Wednesday, at a time when the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Centre are trying to cobble together a majority government in place of the KP Sharma Oli-led ruling coalition.
Here’s what he said:
- No matter what, the UDMF will not join the new government unless and until the latter addresses Madhesh agendas and sorts out the issue of provincial delienation
- The UDMF will hold a meeting very soon to take an official decision on the matter
- The KP Oli-led government managed to put Madhesh’s agendas on hold merely by inviting Madheshi parties for talks.
- UDMF is hopeful that the new government will make honest efforts to resolve the Madhesh crisis
- In the past, the Nepali Congress and the Maoist party gave Madhesh no reason to have faith in them. This time, UDMF is very very serious and conscious, thanks to ‘bitter experiences’
- The UDMF will decide whether or not to support the new government from outside only after the CPN-Maoist Centre and the Nepali Congress reach an understanding vis-a-vis Madhesh agendas and provincial delineation
- The UDMF will not comment on the seven-point understanding between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Centre unless they inform the UDMF about it officially. Mere mention of Madhesh agendas and provincial delineation will not be enough. There will have to be a roadmap to sort out these issues
- UDMF will surely play a positive role in constitution amendment only if the two parties float a roadmap that is agreeable to Madhesh
- Only a constitution amendment effected through a broad political consensus can address issues like delineation of Madhesh. We will support the future government from outside only if the NC and the CPN-Maoist Centre move ahead accordingly
