Nepal to amend Constitution to address Madhesi demands

Top leaders of Nepal’s three major parties on Friday decided to amend the new Constitution within the next three months to address the demands of Indian-origin Madhesis even as a tripartite dialogue with them was put off as the agitating leaders did not turn up.

The senior leaders of ruling CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist, and main opposition Nepali Congress made the decision at a crucial meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Top leaders, inlcuding Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala and UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda, agreed to proceed with the Constitution Amendment Bill registered at the Parliament and resolve the issues regarding the demarcation of federal units within three months.

Two major demands of the agitating Madhesi groups – proportionatte representation and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population – are incorporated in the constitution amendment bill proposed by previous Nepali Congress led government.In the meeting, the parties disscussed issues relating to blockade of key trade points at the border with India, ongoing agitation in the southern Nepal. The discussion of the major parties also focussed on making a common stance on the demands put forth by the Madhes-based parties, according to Nepali Congress sources.