The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, is planning to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli next week with an ultimatum to submit their remaining demands. The SLMM leadership has directed its central secretariat to decide Morcha’s upcoming move and revise a list of demands to be submitted to the government.

The Morcha allies are also holding separate consultations with their constituencies, civil society and intellectuals to garner support for their next move. The Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Sadbhawana Party, Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal, among other fringe parties in the alliance, have already held several rounds of consultation with the concerned stakeholders. “We are making sure that our next move have a full public support. We are also taking this as an opportunity to reflect on our past programmes,” said Rajendra Mahato, chairman of the Sadbhawana Party.

Though Morcha secretariat has been planning to unveil stern protest programmes from the beginning of April, Morcha insiders said that much will depend on a decision of the Morcha leadership following its planned visit to New Delhi.

The Morcha leadership is leaving for the Indian capital on March 12 to attend a seminar where they are also expected to hold political meetings. The SLMM has been weighing different options to mount pressure on the government and three major parties to address their demands. The Morcha, which has not officially ended the protest programmes despite withdrawing the general strike, has been demanding a major revision in the federal boundaries before ending the protest.

‘Constitution cannot be implemented’

SARLAHI: Chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal (SSFN) Upendra Yadav has said that the new constitution cannot be implemented as it failed to maintain political stability in the country.

Addressing a mass meeting at Lalbandi here on Monday, Yadav claimed people had rejected the constitution that was promulgated to serve “the vested interest” of certain people. “The constitution should be of the whole country. A majority of the people are not satisfied with the constitution. The new statute is meaningless as it failed to incorporate the rights of the people,” he said.

Venting his ire at the current situation, Yadav pointed the finger of blame at the KP Sharma-led government for the failure to control black marketeering in the country. “The commission amount reaches Baluwatar. This is the reason why the government has failed to ease supplies of fuel and cooking gas even a month after the lifting of blockade,” he added.

Senior SSFN leaders Ashok Rai warned of stern protest unless the people are provided their rights.