MPRF is saying that it will join the UML-Maoist coalition only if the major parties commit themselves to implement the past agreements reached with the Madhes-based parties. [break]
The major demands of the Madhes-based parties include announcement of autonomous Tarai province and incorporation of some of their agenda in the new constitution.
"The issues raised by Madhes-based parties should be categorized into two groups -- those to be resolved by the Constituent Assembly (CA) and those to be addressed by the government," UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya, one of the leaders involved in the bilateral talks, told Republica. "The government will address only those matters that fall under its jurisdiction and the rest will be settled by the CA."
Acharya expects the talks with the Madhesi leaders will be finalized within a couple of days as they are moving in a positive direction.
He said there is no meaning of the prime minister and ruling parties expressing commitment to resolve all the issues raised by the Madhesi leaders because these matters can be addressed only by the CA. Former minister Surendra Pandey and Rakam Chemjong, Acharya and Mahammud Alam from the UML and Atma Ram Prasad Sah, Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Hari Narayan Yadav and Mohammad Istiyak Rai were present during the talks.
According to leaders, they, however, didn´t discuss the power-sharing issue. "We left the issue to be decided by top leaders -- Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav," said Acharya.
While the prime minister is for allocating two major ministries to the MPRF, the latter is demanding four ministries. Leaders close to the prime minister said they are for allocating the two ministries from among three -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies and the Ministry of Industry.
Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav said their talks Monday were positive and hoped that the talks would conclude within a couple of days.
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