Efforts on to bring both FSFN, RJPN on board govt: Adhikari

KATHMANDU, March 2: CPN-UML leader Rabindra Adhikari has said that the ruling parties are trying to bring both the Madhes-centric parties on board the government.

UML and Maoist Center have been holding discussions with Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) in a bid to persuade the Madhes-centric parties to join the government. FSFN is also closer to reach an agreement with the left alliance. However, some differences over constitution amendment and sharing of ministerial portfolios are delaying the final agreement.

“We want to take Mountains, Hills and Terai together so as to strengthen national integrity. For that we want to take FSFN and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) into confidence. Talks with FSFN have remained positive,” said Adhikari while speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Friday.

“UML has never become an obstacle to revision of constitution. But the issues must be based on ‘necessity’ and ‘justification,” he added.

However, Adhikari furthered that the revision of article 274 of the constitution is far from possible. FSFN has demanded the revision of article 274 in a way which allows redrawing of federal boundaries in the futures. The party has also demanded setting up of a federal commission permanently to resolve all the disputes related to federal boundaries.

Also, on the formal meeting held on Friday, the ruling parties and FSFN could not hit a deal after Prime Minister K P Oli and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair refused to give deputy prime minister or any constitutional post to FSFN. FSFN has demanded three ministries alongside a deputy chairman, and either deputy president or deputy speaker.

Adhikari also said they had also been holding talks with RJPN informally.