Madhesi leaders term Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli's talk's as eyewash

Kathmandu: Criticizing Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's for failing to understand the cause of Madhesi's agitation, leaders associated with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) termed the former's offer of talks an eyewash.

Oli on his televised message on Tuesday had invited the agitating forces to the negotiating table to seek a settlement on constitutional issues.

Spokesperson for the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Sarvendranath Shukla said that PM's offer of talks was aimed at giving a false impression to the international community that his government was trying to settle the Tarai problems.

He asserted that Oli had made similar offer when he became the Prime Minister but formed the government's talk's team only after a month reflecting insincerity on his part.

"In his televised address, the PM said he could not understand the reasons behind Madhes agitation.How can the government find solution if it continues to ignore the reasons behind a movement which saw 20 lakh people taking to the streets to protest against discriminatory provisions of the constitution?" The Himalayan Times quoted him, as saying.

He said that even after the Madhesi leaders went to submit a memorandum, Oli did not even bother to listen to their political demands, adding, United Democratic Madhesi Front was not against dialogue but the government should make sincere efforts in negotiating settlement of the Tarai problems.

Shukla demanded the government to announce the constitutional status of the report of the committee and its terms of reference in it.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato said that Oli's offer of talks was a waste of time.

"We had given the government an ultimatum to address our concerns before April 12.Instead of addressing our demands within the time frame, the government just made an offer of talks. This shows how indifferent this government is to our demands," Mahato said.

He said that Oli's offer of talks was only a ploy to stop the agitators, adding, the UDMF would unveil its protest programmes in a few days and the movement would be Kathmandu centric.