Big Three claim they are close to consensus on Madhesh Question

Leaders of three major political parties - CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress(NC) and CPN (UML) - have said they are close to reaching consensus on ways to address the demands of Madhesh-centric parties.

According to them, the NC has gone back from its proposal that 'Madhesh autonomous province' and 'group entry' of Madhesi people in Nepal Army should be provisioned in the supplementary constitution amendment bill.

NC vice president Ram Chandra Paudel said the parties have agreed to go with a sentence "restructuring of the state will be carried out by accepting the Madhesi people's wish for autonomous province and similar wish of people of other areas."
He added that they have also agreed to "recruit Madhesi people in Nepal Army on the basis of proportional system".

However, Maoist leader Dev Gurung said the NC wanted to consult on its changed stance within the party. "So, the meeting has been postponed until Friday," he said.

UML general secretary Jhalnath Khanal said they sought consensus beyond 'One Madhesh One Province' which would address the issues of all the oppressed communities.