The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has decided to boycott the local level elections slated for May 14 and announce fresh protest, saying that the new constitution amendment proposal is even more regressive than the previous one. 

A meeting of SLMM leaders convened at Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party office in Bijulibazar, Kathmandu on Wednesday concluded that they wouldn’t take ownership of the amendment proposal registered at the Legislature-Parliament the other day. The leaders claimed that the new proposal has not addressed their key demand—revision of provincial boundary—and no provisions pertaining to citizenship, national assembly and language has been changed in the old proposal. 

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Deputy General Secretary Surendra Jha denied the government’s claim that the new amendment proposal was brought by taking the Madhesi Morcha into confidence. He further said that the content in the proposal was different than what was agreed during the joint taskforce of ruling parties and Morcha leaders.  

Chairmen of six constituent parties were present at today’s meeting. Out of seven parties aligned with the SLMM, Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party Chairman Sharat Singh Bhandari has gone out of valley. 

A meeting of Sanghiya Gathabandan—an alliance of Madhesi and Janjati forces—is slated to begin at the office of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum office in Tinkune, Kathmandu.