NC, UML to 'be flexible'

Ahead of Wednesday's 'decisive' talks with the Madhesi Morcha, top leaders of the ruling UML and the main opposition NC on Tuesday held separate meetings and decided to show 'utmost flexibility' to strike a deal with the agitating parties.

However, both parties did not categorically state which of the Morcha's demands could be addressed – an indication that there will be no breakthrough even on Wednesday.

The Morcha also said top Madhesi leaders, except Mahant Thakur, will not be present in Wednesday's meeting. Thakur reached Janakpur on Tuesday, but he is planning to fly back to Kathmandu on Wednesday after addressing a political rally in Dhalkebar of Dhanusha.

An NC leader, however, told Nepali Times that they are now ready to readjust federal boundaries, and a deal with the Mocha is possible. "It might take a few more days, but possibility of a breakthrough is now very high," he said.

NC spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu said: "We have discussed multiple options, and we will make our position clear after holding a meeting with the UML and the UCPN (M) before talks with the Morcha."

The UML also decided to show 'utmost flexibility without compromising on national interests of the country' on Tuesday.

The Morcha, an alliance of four Madhes-based parties, has demanded only two provinces in the country's southern plains with Jhapa, Morang and Sunari in the eastern and Kailali and Kanchanpur in the western autonomous state.

The Morcha has also demanded amendments to several clauses of Nepal's new constitution – most importantly proportional representation of Madhesi people in all state organs and electoral constituencies in proportion to their population. But it says redrawing boundaries of federal provinces in order to ensure Madhesi people's proportional representation in Parliament and other state mechanism is the bottom line.

The Morcha had asked the major parties that voted for the constitution – the NC, the UML and the UCPN (M) – to come up with a common proposal on its demands.

The stand-off between the ruling collation and the Morcha has continued for nearly four months now. To press for their demands, Madhesi protesters have been blocking Nepal-India border points cutting supplies of essential commodities since the last week of September.

India has also restricted supplies of fuel and cooking gas to put pressure on the Nepal government to address demands raised by Madhesi people.