Rebel parties in Nepal boycott talks on truce

KATHMANDU: Madhesi and other ethnic parties agitating against the new constitution of Nepal boycotted an all-party meeting called on Tuesday by the government to

Published on: May 25, 2016, 09:05:21 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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KATHMANDU: Madhesi and other ethnic parties agitating against the new constitution of Nepal boycotted an all-party meeting called on Tuesday by the government to resolve the crisis.

Nearly 30 parties belonging to Federal Alliance did not turn up at the meeting called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to address the demands made by those opposed to the constitution.

Though Oli had sent a formal request on Monday to United Democratic Madhesi Front, which comprises the four main Madhesi parties in the alliance, they said no official invitation was received.

“I learned about Tuesday’s meeting only after reading the morning newspapers. How can we attend a meeting based on that?,” asked Upendra Yadav, chairman of the alliance.

Another senior Madhesi leader Mahanta Thakur informed Oli over phone that members of the Federal Alliance will not take part in the meeting as they need to conduct internal consultations first.

The meeting was attended by leaders of all parties present in the ruling coalition, president Sher Bahadur Deuba of main opposition party Nepali Congress as well as representatives of several smaller parties.

The parties want fresh demarcation of federal states and more opportunities in government for marginalised communities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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