Hinting at the possibility of tabling a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament before the Dashain festival, the ruling coalition has said it is ready to adopt maximum flexibility to address the concerns raised by the agitating Madhesi and Janajati parties.

The key demand of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), an alliance of Madhes-based parties, is redrawing of provincial boundaries with at least two provinces in the Tarai. Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari in the East and Kailali and Kanchanpur in the West continue to remain the most disputed states.

Nepali Congress (NC) leader Narayan Khadka said a consensus was possible on the SLMM demand of two provinces in the Tarai.

“They have also realised that separating the Hills from the plains is not the solution because that would not be economically feasible. The Hills and the plains are intertwined,” said the former minister. Regarding representation in the Upper House, yet another concern raised by the Morcha, the ruling parties are hopeful about being able to address the demand by amending the constitution.

Sources from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat claimed that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was trying his best to convince leaders from the opposition, the CPN-UML, before tabling the amendment proposal.  “But, even if there is no agreement with the UML, we are working to table the amendment proposal with the consent of disgruntled voices. And even if the amendment is not passed—if the UML refuses to budge from its stance—we will go among the people and participate in elections with our respective agendas,” said a source.

While speaking at a programme in the Capital on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dahal’s Chief Political Adviser Chakrapani Khanal also claimed that an amendment proposal would be tabled before the Dashain festival.