The Nepali Congress on Monday requested all the “concerned parties” to end the five-month long disruption in the supply of goods across the border with India.

A meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) concluded that there is no need for blockade and protests as the first amendment to the constitution has addressed the demands of the Madhesi people.

An NC leader said that by ‘concerned parties’ they mean India and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha which has been agitating against some provisions of the new constitution. Parliament on Saturday passed the first statute amendment to address the demands of the protesting Madhes-based parties.

The party said that the remaining issues could be resolved through talks. The CWC meeting thanked all the parties for supporting the bill registered by the erstwhile government led by Sushil Koirala. The party in opposition drew the government’s attention to the black market that is thriving due to the Indian blockade. “People are bearing the brunt of price hike and black market but the government has not taken sufficient measures the curb them,” said the largest party. The NC also urged the government to undertake post-earthquake reconstruction in a transparent manner.

The NC meeting also objected to the government decisions of cancelling the political decisions made by the Koirala government.

‘Third fight for presidency last’

The CWC decided that leaders would not be allowed to fight for the party presidency more than three times. As per the new rule, this will be the last time for both President Koirala and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba to fight for the top post.

The village-, ward- and municipality-level conventions of the party are being held from January 29, which will be followed by the district conventions.

The party’s 13th General Convention will be held on March 3-6 in Kathmandu to elect a new leadership.

The party has demanded security for its conventions at all levels.