India has reiterated its support for an inclusive Constitution which has broad-based ownership in Nepal. In a meeting with visiting Madhesi leaders, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also emphasised on the need for a speedy political resolution and return to normalcy.
Nepal’s top Tarai leaders - Mahant Thakur, Upendra Yadav, Rajendra Mahato and Mahendra Yadav - arrived in Delhi on Sunday to discuss the political crisis in Nepal.
The Madhesi movement has been underway for over 100 days; more than 50 people have been killed, most by security forces. Madhesis have demanded increased political representation, proportional inclusion and revision of federal boundaries in the Constitution.
The Tarai leaders also met four key opposition figures - senior Congress leader Karan Singh, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, JDU president Sharad Yadav, and NCP general secretary D P Tripathi. All four are members of the Rajya Sabha, where a short situation discussion on Nepal is slated for Monday.
A participating Madhesi leader told HT that in their meetings, they focused on explaining the background of Nepali Constitution, why it is ‘discriminatory’, and how they will not accept anything less than a review of federal boundaries in the Constitution. Last week, Nepal’s foreign minister Kamal Thapa was in Delhi and had suggested a political roadmap.
Madhesi parties have also imposed a blockade at the Nepal India border to generate pressure on Kathmandu to amend the Constitution.
{{/usCountry}}Madhesi parties have also imposed a blockade at the Nepal India border to generate pressure on Kathmandu to amend the Constitution.
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