In the first sign of a breakthrough in understanding between India and Nepal, the government welcomed steps by the Nepali Cabinet to amend the new Constitution. However, the amendment proposals are yet to be welcomed by protesting Madhesi groups, with the main UMDF calling them “a disappointment”, raising questions whether the move would lead to the end of the three-month-old blockade at the India-Nepal border that has caused a humanitarian crisis.
In an emergency meeting of the Nepal Cabinet on Monday, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli promised to address the contentious issues of demarcation of States, delimitation of constituencies, proportional representation for Madhesis, and strict citizenship rules. Reacting to the proposals that include amending the Constitution, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was a “well-wisher” of Nepal. “The government of India welcomes these developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal. We urge all Nepali political forces to now demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find a satisfactory solution to the constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed time-frame”.
According to sources, Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa consulted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over the last week before finally taking the solution package to the Madhesi groups. Mr.Thapa, who returned from London during the weekend, had spoken to Ms.Swaraj thrice from London to inform her of the developments. However, the Madhesi protesters have described the solution package as a betrayal of promises made by Mr.Oli.
“We are deeply disappointed by the solution package as it leaves out the main issue of our land and identity,” said Rajinder Mahato of United Madhes Democratic Front. Terming India’s welcome of the solution package as a negative development, Mr Mahato told The Hindu that India should have consulted the Madhesi leaders before issuing the statement praising the statement.
“We want Kathmandu to clearly demarcate the province of Madhes. We will not end our agitation without the demarcation of the province,” said Upendra Yadav of UMDF. Mr Yadav said that apart from the issue of absence of demarcation and a clear timeline, the solution package was also vague in commitments on the promised constitutional amendments.
