Madhesis call off stir after deal with govt on Constitution

UNDER THE PACT, A REVISED CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL WILL BE FASTTRACKED AND LOCAL ELECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE MADHESIS WILL CONTEST IN THEM

Nepal’s Madhesi parties have called off protests after they struck a deal with the Prachanda-led coalition government under which they will take part in the local body elections after a revised Constitution amendment bill is passed in Parliament.

The Federal Alliance, a grouping of agitating Madhesi parties and ethnic groups, reached the agreement on issues related to Constitution amendment and local polls.

According to the pact, the revised Constitution amendment bill will be fast-tracked and local elections will be conducted in two phases, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office.

The government has proposed two dates — May 14 and June 14 — for conducting local body polls on two phases.

“The Alliance would take part in local level elections only after the revised Constitution amendment bill gets endorsed in the Parliament,” said Rajen dra Mahato, a senior leader of the alliance.

Meanwhile, a cabinet meet ing endorsed the agreement that the ruling parties forged with the Federal Alliance, and decided to hold the local level elections in two phases.

The Madhesi parties had ear lier warned the government that they would disrupt the loca elections if their demands including proportional repre sentation in Parliament, are not addressed. After the agreement was reached, they called off their stir on Sunday.