Kathmandu, April 21
The Madheshi Morcha (minus Upendra Yadav) on Friday said it could accept the constitution amendment bill proposed by the government and take part in local elections if three of its concerns were addressed.
At a meeting called by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today, the leaders sought a revision to Articles 7 and 274 of the constitution and formation of a federal commission to re-draw provincial boundaries, according to Morcha leader Laxman Lal Karna.
While Article 7 is concerned with the official language policy of the state, Article 274 is related to the procedure to amend the constitution. The Madheshi Morcha has demanded that federal Parliament reserve the right to provincial boundaries and the government adopt a multi-lingual policy at the federal level as well.
Maoist leader Barsha Man Pun, who also took part in the meeting, said the discussions concluded positively, adding that the ruling parties would hold a meeting at 3 pm today to discuss the Morcha’s demands. After the meeting, the ruling parties would then sit with the Morcha leaders again at 5 pm to wrap-up discussions today itself, according to Pun.
Federal Alliance leader Upendra Yadav, however, did not attend the meeting.
Karna clarified that the newly formed Rastriya Janata Party would not take part in the local level elections unless the Constitution was amended.
