The government has mandated its talks team to adopt a “maximum flexibility” to reach an agreement with the agitating parties in an effort to seek solution to the weeks-long unrest in the Tarai.

The ruling parties’ decision comes at a time when the agitating parties warned of walking out the talks while the country is already facing humanitarian crisis due to the continued disruption in the supply of essentials, including fuel.

A meeting of the High-level Political Committee, held at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Baluwatar, has mandated the talks team to bring the agitating parties on board by offering available options. The cross-party mechanism was formed to assist the government convince the agitating forces by committing to find a political solution in revising the seven-province federal model.

Before seeking an agreement in revising the federal model, the government is preparing to discuss with the main opposition Nepali Congress. “We want to reach consensus at the higher level before addressing the issue concerning the demarcation of provinces and making changes in the constitution,” said HLPC member Kamal Thapa, who also heads the government talks team.

PM Oli’s Press Advisor Pramod Dahal said the ruling parties have agreed to resolve the demarcation of provinces at the earliest. “The government is ready for both the options, resolving demarcation row through the Federal Commission or holding discussion at higher political level,” said Dahal.

‘Tharus could ally with Madhesis’

Tharu leader Raj Kumar Lekhi has said the Tharu community would forge an alliance with the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) to launch a decisive protest if their demands are not met within a month. Speaking at a press meet in Rautahat on Sunday, Lekhi claimed the government was not serious about addressing the demands of the agitating groups. The ongoing dialogue is a sham, he said, urging the SLMM leaders not to be fooled by the government. Lekhi also accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal of turning into a loyal supporter of CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Oli. He also called Deputy Prime Minister and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar “a digrace Tharu people”.