The top three political parties on Friday decided to solve dispute over federal boundaries in three months by forming an all-party committee.
The NC, the UML and the UCPN (M) also decided to pass a constitution amendment bill registered by the previous government to address two key Madhesi demands: proportional representation and constituencies delineation in proportion to population.
But a deal between the NC-UML-UCPN (M) and the Madhesi Morcha remained elusive even on Friday, with the latter rejecting a tripartite meeting called by Prime Minister KP Oli to resolve the ongoing political crisis.
Madhesi leaders did not turn up at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar, and the top three party leaders returned home without even informal discussion with the Morcha.
Some of the second-wrung leaders of the Morcha instead reached the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, where they met India's ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae. Top leaders of the Morcha have decided to visit New Delhi before sitting for decisive talks with the NC-UML-UCPN (M).
Sadbhavana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato, a hardliner within the Morcha, said: "The government has confused New Delhi, and we are going there to clear it."
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Thapa had returned from New Delhi on Thursday, saying his visit was 'fruitful' and 'the positive results will be seen soon.'
It is believed that the top three parties decided to 'resolve demarcation dispute in three months' after receiving New Delhi's message through Thapa.
The Morcha, overtly backed by India, has been blocking Nepal's southern border check-points cutting supplies of essential commodities after the new constitution was promulgated on 20 September. India has also restricted supplies of fuel to Nepal putting pressure on the Oli government to address the Morcha's demands.
All three political sides – the government, the Morcha and New Delhi – seem to have realised that they have gone too far, and a deal is now needed to normalise situation in the Tarai. But they still appear to be bargaining for more.