Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday appealed the agitating Madhes-based parties to call off their protest and resolve disputes through dialogue, stressing that the government is committed to address their genuine concerns.

He said the Madhesi parties’ grievances over demarcation of provinces can be addressed through a constitution amendment.

In his first address to the Legislature-Parliament after assuming the PM post, Oli asked everyone to respect the constitution that was drafted with the overwhelming majority in Parliament. “This is only document in the history of Nepal which has ensured the equality, inclusiveness and identity based on social justice,” he said.

Oli, who also chairs the second largest party CPN-UML, said that the constitution has also adopted the principle of “positive discrimination” to empower women, Madhesi, Tharu, people with disability and other marginalised communities.

He said the constitution would have never been promulgated if consensus was sought in every issue. “The constitution is an evolving document; there is always room for amendments. Therefore, I ask all the agitating parties to withdraw the protest and reach to a logical conclusion through dialogue,” he said, calling on the Madhes-based parties to consider the pain that the Nepali people are suffering due to their protest.  

During the 30-minute speech, PM Oli said the government is making efforts to ease restrictions at the transit point which has created an acute shortage of fuel and other vital supplies.