‘One Madhesh one province’ demand unacceptable: SPA

The ruling seven-party alliance has said that ‘one Madhesh one province’ demand put forth by agitating Madhesi parties cannot be accepted.

Emerging from the seven-party meeting at Baluwatar Saturday afternoon, United Left Front chairman C.P Mainali said the parties concluded that the demand for a single ‘Madhesh province’ is unacceptable. However, the demands that do not pose threat to nationality can be considered, he said.

The seven parties also decided to hold the April 10 election to constituent assembly at any cost, vowing to tackle with the anti-election activities.

The SPA meeting was organised to evolve a common view on the demands of the agitating Madhesi parties.

Talks between the government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) that has imposed an indefinite shutdown strike in Terai since past 11 days with six-point demands had ended inconclusively on Friday.

In the meantime, the leaders of the UDMF, an alliance of three Madhesi parties, are also engaging in internal discussion today and are likely to make an announcement regarding their stance anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the central committee meeting of the CPN-Maoist held at the party’s head office in Buddhanagar this morning dismissed the ‘one Madhes one province’ demand.

Maoist leader Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ said that his party was positive over the demand for ‘autonomy’ but not ‘one Madhesh’ demand.

“Our position on this issue is clear. This demand [one Madhesh one province] is not objective,” Badal said.

The party believes that the CA itself should decide the issue of self-determination, he added. nepalnews.com mk/ia Feb 23 08

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