Ready to readjust boundaries

Top three political parties agreed on Thursday to readjust federal boundaries and demarcate electoral constituencies in proportion to population -- two of the key demands raised by the dissenting Madhesi parties.

A three-member negotiation team of the NC- UML-UCPN (M) coalition is now holding a talk with Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chair Mahanta Thakur in the latter's office at Bijuibazar, Kathmandu.

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NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel said the negotiation team, which comprises Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya, UCPN (M) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha and UML's Chief Whip Agni Kharel, will try to convince Madhesi dissenters for talks through Thakur.

"We have given our negotiation team a full mandate to strike a deal with Madhesi parties," he said.

Early this week, Thakur had held a meeting with the negotiation team and reached Rautahat to discuss whether to sit for talks. But Madhesi parties, emboldened by India's overt backing, once again refused appeal for talks and instead denounced a ban on Hindi television channels.

But Thakur now has stronger reasons to persuade his allies to resume talks, and other Madhesi parties are also tired of fighting.

"We just want a letter from the three leaders," said Mahendra Ray Yadav of the Tarai Madhes Sadbhavana Party. "And they should express their commitment in writing to address our demands."

Will talks take place and the blockade lifted over the next week? Not only does it depend on whether Thakur manages to convince his co-leaders but also India's role.

It is believed that India is not happy with UML Chair KP Oli becoming new Prime Minister, and Madhesi parties also hate him for his politically incorrect remarks. In a closed-door interaction with their cadres, some UML leaders told them this week that 'Oli's entry into Baluwatar was not easy'.

Madhesi leaders would like to have a deal before Prime Minister Sushil Koirala vacates the office. But sources close to Koirala told Nepali Times that he is considering resigning on Friday itself when the first post-constitution session of the parliament begins.

Top three leaders have inserted a provision in the new constitution according to which it is mandatory to elect a new Prime Minister within the first week of the next parliamentary session. Without Koirala's resignation, the parliamentary process for new Prime Minister's election cannot start.

Parliament is preparing first post-constitution session for Friday even as Nepal is hit hard by an Indian blockade that has now lasted ten days. The good news is that talks between the top three parties and Madhesi dissenters have gathered pace in Kathmandu.