Madhesi leaders step up talks on poll

Kantipur Report

RAJBIRAJ, Jan 2 - Madhesi leaders from various parties have expedited consultations and interaction as the possibility of holding the CA poll has increased dramatically after the Seven Party Alliance signed the 23-point agreement.

Chairman of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) Rajendra Mahato said Constituent Assembly (CA) election could solve most of the problems facing the country.

Speaking at a press conference organized here on Tuesday, Mahato, however, charged the government with not being serious toward creating conducive environment for holding 'positive' CA polls. He also added that NSP was ready to mediate between government and armed groups in tarai. Further, issuing a deadline to the government to create a favorable environment by January 18 to hold elections, Mahato warned that his party would declare a peaceful agitation the next day if the government didn't act responsibly.

I too can quit NC: Gachhadar

Nepali Congress (NC) leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar accused the government of being apathetic toward solving the problems in tarai. He also said the NC leadership was ignoring the tarai problem.

"I can also quit the party (NC) if the government fails to solve the problems in madhes," Gachhadar said. Claiming that Mahanta Thakur's new party was an example that people's organization existed even outside the seven political parties' alliance, Gachhadar further said, "It's a defeatist mentality to say that India is controlling the madhes agitation."

'Madhes should not hamper elections'

NC General Secretary, Bimalendra Nidhi, said the Madhesis should not obstruct CA poll. Addressing a press meet in Rajbiraj on Tuesday, Nidhi said the government was eager to hold talks with dissenting armed groups in the tarai.

Similarly in Rautahat, another NC general secretary Rambaran Yadav opined that no one should bring up communal and regional issues during the present transitional phase. Addressing party cadres at Chandranigahpur on Tuesday, Yadav said that such issues would only disintegrate the country into pieces. He also said it was wrong of the groups in tarai to raise arms.

MPRF agitation to be peaceful

Meanwhile in Sunsari, chairman of Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF), Upendra Yadav, on Tuesday said the MPRF agitation, starting January 20, would remain peaceful. Talking to the Post, Yadav however, said the MPRF agitation could turn violent if the government tried to suppress it. Yadav also reiterated that a new all-party government should be formed to hold 'meaningful elections.'

Posted on: 2008-01-01 21:14:09 (Server Time)

(Source : ekantipur.com)