Nepal's ruling alliance rejects "One Madhesh, One Province' demand

Kathmandu, Feb.23 : Nepal's ruling seven-party alliance has rejected a Madheshi demand for "One Madhesh,One Province'.

Emerging from a meeting at Baluwatar, Prime MInister Koirala's official residence, on Saturday afternoon, United Left Front chairman C.P Mainali said the parties concluded that the demand is unacceptable, but added that demands that do not pose a threat to nationality can be considered.

According to nepalnews, the ruling alliance also decided to hold the April 10 election to the Constituent Assembly at any cost, and vowed to tackle all anti-election activities.

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.

Meanwhile, curfew has been lifted in some Terai districts, as demonstrations by the United Democratic Madhesi Front began to diminish on the 11th day of an indefinite general strike called by the United Democratic Madhesi Front.

The Morang District administration lifted curfew in Biratnagar from 10 a.m. on Saturday. Similarly, curfew imposed in Siraha has been lifted from 5 a.m. and in Saptari from 7 a.m. The Banke administration said curfew would be re-imposed after 10 p.m. in Nepalgunj while the curfew in some other places in the district has been withdrawn.

Despite lifting the curfew, normalcy is yet to return in Terai. Supplies have been obstructed and bazaars and educational institutions remain closed on the 11th day as well.

ANI