KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is holding a meeting with parties in ruling coalition and the agitating Madhes-based parties today at his official residence Baluwatar.

Leaders of the CPN (Maoist Center), Nepali Congress and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) are present in the meeting.

PM Dahal had met Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur, Sadbhavana Party Chairperson Rajendra Mahato and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) Co-chair Rajendra Shrestha on Monday and proposed of putting the constitution amendment bill on hold.

As the government is being unable to garner two-third majority in the parliament to endorse the amendment bill, PM Dahal urged Madhes-based parties to participate in the local election without completing the process of amendment.

On the other hand, leaders from the Madhes-based parties asked PM to include new provision in the constitution amendment bill such as in Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, which says, 'Parliament may by law form a new state by separation of territory from any state or by uniting two or more states or parts of states or by uniting any territory to a part of any state.

"Since we have serious reservations on PM's proposal, the meeting today is not likely to give any solution," said Keshav Jha, the general secretary of National Madhes Socialist Party.

"Without amendment, none of the Madhes-based parties could go into any election. After running protest for a long period, we will not have moral rights or agenda to go into election," said Jha.

 
• pm
 
• ruling parties
 
• madhes-based parties