CA postponement saga drags on

KATHMANDU, July 5 - The agreement reached on Friday by five of the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) to resolve the Madhes issue has been called unsatisfactory by the agitating Madhesi-based parties Saturday who continued with their protests putting off the legislative session of the Constituent Assembly (CA) for the ninth straight ... ...CA members who had filled the International Convention Center returned after the parliament secretariat published a postponement notice.The lawmakers of the agitating Madhesi parties have been obstructing the CA procedures since June 26 to press the government to mention their demand for ‘an autonomous Mahdhes province' and ‘mass recruitment of Madhesis in the security bodies' in the interim constitution through a supplementary amendment draft bill.The government was expected to table a supplementary bill proposing for an amendment to the interim constitution at today's CA meeting.After days of hectic parleys, the major parties yesterday reached a common stance to table the agreements reached in the past with various groups including the Madhesis at today's CA meeting.The government had confirmed that the proposed supplementary draft bill fulfils not only the demands raised by the Madhes-based parties but also other indigenous groups.The cabinet endorsed the supplementary amendment bill to the interim constitution that was approved by the five political parties of the SPA on Friday.The Madhesi parties with whom the government had signed an agreement on February 28 expressed dissatisfaction over the issues included in the supplementary amendment bill.Stating the ruling parties have tried to betray the Madhesi people, the Madhes-based parties have announced to continue their struggle at the CA and the streets as well.Chairman of Mahato-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP-M) Rajendra Mahato had already declared that the CA session will not be allowed to resume today as the proposed supplementary draft bill failed to address the Madhesi parties' demands.Meanwhile, over 20 organisations of indigenous people of Terai including Tharu Welfare Assembly staged demonstrations outside the CA venue at New Baneshwor in the capital today.

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