Deal with agitating parties likely before India visit

Taskforce meeting summoned Friday

KATHMANDU, Feb 12: Before Prime Minister K P Oli leaves for his official visit to India from February 19 to 24, an agreement with the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) on the formation of a political body to resolve the demarcation dispute is likely, claim interlocutors.

The prime minister has summoned a meeting of the taskforce of the major three political parties and the agitating parties, which is entrusted with finding a meeting point over the disputed issue, at his official residence for Friday morning. Earlier, the big three--Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist)-- and the agitating UDMF constituent parties had agreed to form a high-level political mechanism to suggest a solution for the demarcation dispute.

Political advisor to the prime minister, Bishnu Rimal, said that PM Oli is willing to forge agreement with the agitating sides over the formation of the high level political body. "Government will make all possible effort from its side for a consensus, taking the major political parties into confidence," Rimal told Republica. Prime Minister Oli is also convening an all-party meeting before his five-day India trip.

The agitating side, which was forced to call off its major protest programs, including obstruction of the Nepal-India customs points, without being able to have their demands properly addressed, is also desperate to strike an agreement with the major parties in order to appease their own cadres who are already irked with the leadership. "While striking a deal with major parties, the agitating parties will also have an opportunity for face saving in the eyes of the cadres," said a UML leader not willing to be named.

Asked about the chances of an agreement with the major parties before the prime minister's India visit, agitating Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) Chairman Upendra Yadav said they were willing to bring this about. "We have always been in favor of consensus, but the government and the major parties remained reluctant. If they want it, I can't rule out the chances for consensus," Yadav told Republica.

Yadav further claimed that Oli's visit would be successful only if he succeeds in finding a solution for the internal crisis prior to his visit. "The prime minister will not get much respect while visiting any other country while leaving this country in crisis. Thus we wish for a resolution of the crisis before his visit," said Yadav.

Nepali Congress leader Minendra Rijal also opines that the prime minister's visit will be successful only if the internal problems are resolved prior to leaving the country. "Questions may arise if he visits India leaving the crisis in the country unresolved. Thus he should do however much can be done," Rijal said. "NC will extend its full support to resolve the Madhes agitation as this was also a dream of our late President Sushil Koirala."

India also has been repeatedly stressing to the political parties in Nepal to resolve the internal issues in Nepal through dialogue. After the first amendment to the constitution of Nepal, India had believed that the issues relating to provincial boundaries would be solved without any delay.

The agitating Madhes-based parties represented in parliament decided to unite under the UDMF with a view to jointly negotiate with the government on the demarcation issue. The agitating parties demand a Province-2 from Parsa in the west to Sunsari and Morang in the east, and detaching the hill districts from Province-5 which will also including Kailali.