Koirala begins talks with Madhesi parties

Kathmandu, July 11: Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala stepped up consultations with the leaders of the Madhes-based parties today to persuade them to participate in the amendment process.

A meeting between PM Koirala and the leaders of Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) is underway at his official residence in Baluwatar.

Earlier today, Koirala met Terai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) leaders and urged them to cooperate in the process of drafting a new Constitution.

TMDP chairman Mahanta Thakur said that although the Madhesi lawmakers did not disrupt the Constituent Assembly (CA), they are still dissatisfied with the supplementary amendment bill to the interim Constitution.

TMDP leader Hridayesh Tripathi said that the agreement of February 28 signed between the Government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front has not been implemented.

PM Koirala is also scheduled to meet the leaders of Nepal Sadbhawana party in later today

On Thursday, PM Koirala and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' agreed that they should hold open discussions with the Madhesi leaders and try to find a mutually agreeable solution to the problems raised by the Madhesi parties.

Prachanda hoped that the Madhesi leaders would come to a compromise and take part in the new Government.

According to sources, Prachanda also sought support of the Nepali Congress for running the new Government, Kantipur reported.

ANI