Kathmandu, July 29
Rajendra Mahato, president of the Sadbhavana Party, a member of the Madheshi Morcha (United Democratic Madheshi Front), said on Friday that the UDMF will join the new government if the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Centre make a pledge to address its demands.
He said: Thus far, they — the Congress and the Maoist Centre — have not sought our support for the formation of a new government. If they come asking for our support, we will float our demands.
Mahato, speaking at the face-to-face that Reporters’ Club had organised, said: We will see how the new government moves ahead and will act accordingly. Let them come up with a clear view on the UDMF’s 11-point charter of demands, only then will we decide whether or not to be a part of the new government.
The first point of the seven-point agreement reached between the Congress and the Maoist Centre has pledged to address the UDMF’s demands, he said and describing the promise as positive. “Their commitment is positive, but then they will have to translate the commitment into action. There has been no dearth of such pledges. We are eager to see their action.
Mahato said: If the Congress and the Maoist party pledge to resolve Madhesh’s problems and UDMF’s demands related to the Constitution, UDMF will join the new government. Otherwise, it will extend support to the government from outside.
Asked if the UDMF is stopping Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, chair of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic, from joining the new government, Mahato said: This is not a matter of our concern. Why should we stop Gachchhadar from joining the government? Prachanda can bring anyone he likes to the government.
Mahato, though, criticised Gachchhadar, describing the latter as an anti-Madhesh leader.
He said: The CPN-UML will provide its support if the Congress and the Maoist party present an amendment proposal in the Parliament to address Madhesh’s demands.
