Madhesi parties continue to impede CA business in Nepal

Kathmandu, Jun 30 (UNI) The deadlock in Nepal's Constituent Assembly continued for the third consecutive day over the Madhesi issue with the Madhesi parties demanding the constitution amended as per the agreement reached in February last year between the government and the parties.

The meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) was again stalled yesterday after the Madhes-based parties continued to obstruct the assembly for the third day.

The Madhes-based parties, including the Madhesi People's Right's Forum (MPRF) and Terai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP), want the constitution amended as per the agreement reached in February last year between the government and the Madhesi parties.

Madhesi lawmakers picketed the rostrum and chanted slogans as before prior to entering the core agendas at the CA meeting, which began three hours later than the scheduled time.

The disgruntled Madhesi parties continued with their agitation after marathon talks aimed at reaching a consensus ended without making any headway.

Minister for Law and Justice Narendra Bikram Nemwang was scheduled to table the Fifth Amendment bill to the interim constitution at today's CA meeting.

The next CA meeting has been slated for 1600 hrs local time today.

Yesterday, the proceedings of the CA meeting were also stalled as the Madhesis were demanding granting autonomy to the Madhes region and their group entry into the Nepalese army.

UNI XC SZ NS1028