Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae on Saturday invited the top brass of the Samyutka Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) for “a lunch meeting” during which he, according to Morcha leaders, enquired about the concerns of the Madhes-based parties and “advised” them to take ownership of the constitution amendment bill. 

The ambassador sought to know the Morcha’s official position on the amendment bill, said a leader who attended the meeting. “It is in larger interest of the regional parties to extend at least partial support to the amendment bill even if it falls short of addressing all the demands,” the leader told the Post. 

Madhesi leaders though maintained that the bill addresses some of their demands, they said a revision is a must—especially on the provision related to federal boundaries—for them to take ownership of the bill. 

Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato, who was present in the meeting, said Rae asked about the agitating parties’ position on the amendment bill. “He sought to know our views on the amendment proposal,” said Mahato. “We told him that the bill cannot be accepted under existing circumstances. If the government really wants us to take ownership of the proposal, it should revise it.”

Besides Mahato, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahanta Thakur, Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Chairman Mahendra Yadav, Sanghiya Sadbhwana Party Anil Jha and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Ganatantrik Chairman Raj Kishore Yadav were present in the meeting.

Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal (SSF-N) Chairman Upendra Yadav and Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party Chairman Sharat Singh Bhandari did not attend the meeting.