Concluding that dissemination of only “negative” aspects of the new constitution had fuelled the Tarai agitation, the ruling CPN-UML plans to begin a publicity campaign in restive districts from mid-December to highlight “positive” aspects of the new charter.

Before mobilising the party rank and file for the two-month campaign across the country with special focus on Madhes, the party is organising a jamboree of its cadres in Chitwan. The two-day gathering begins on Monday.

“It’s a nationwide party campaign but we want to give special priority to the Madhes this time around in the context of the deepening crisis there,” said UML spokesman Yogesh Bhattarai.

Office bearers from all the Tarai districts, members of local sister organisations, parliamentarians, ex-lawmakers, party candidates in the 2013 CA elections and central leaders will attend the meeting.

The UML will collect suggestions from local leaders on the Madhes unrest, study the difficulties they have been facing in the plains and prepare the party’s future course before launching the constitution publicity campaign.

Central leaders including UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma will highlight positive aspects of the new constitution, its shortcomings and the efforts made to ensure rights of the marginalised communities in addition to presenting a comparative analysis of the statute.

“After the orientation, local cadres will conduct campaigns in their respective districts and villages,” said party Secretary Prithivi Subba Gurung.

In September, the UML had decided to launch campaigns in the Tarai immediately after the protests began but backtracked on the decision as the agitation intensified. Over 50 people including security personnel have been killed in clashes. The UML assessment is that this is the right time for the campaign as violence has become less intensive with the Tarai parties’ decision to sit for talks.

The disgruntled parties had torched and vandalised the houses of lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and the UML, as well as their party offices. The rallies organised by the major parties were also targeted in the midst of the agitation. Spokesman Bhattarai hoped the local leaders and cadres would make the campaign a success in view of the “improved political situation”.