Madhesis keen on 'result-oriented, meaningful' talks: Mahanta Thakur

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) chairman Mahanta Thakur has said that Madhesis are ready for talks with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli-led government to arrive at a 26-point demand charter conclusion provided they are 'result-oriented and meaningful'.

"Our demands are reasonable and those should be fulfilled by whatever means. If it's possible through talks, we are ready. But talks should not be held to get us engaged. It should be result-oriented and meaningful," Thakur told ANI.

He asserted that the agitating Madhesis were not absconding from talks.

"We are not absconders who should be called in for a dialogue. Where should we go? Singha Durbar or some other place? Why is Kamal Thapa (Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal) not making it clear?" he asked.

The agitating Madhesis have so far held 36 meetings with the government, but the talks have been unable to bring results.

The agitating parties are also not happy with the government for inviting only the Morcha and not the federal alliance for talks.

The leaders are of the view that the government must invite all 29 parties in the Federal Alliance for talks and not only those Madhesi-based parties, which are in the Morcha.

The Federal Alliance, which includes the United Democratic Madhesi Front along with many other parties, are staging a relay hunger strike at Khula Manch as part of their Kathmandu-centric protest.

Thakur said the agitation for equal rights will continue till their demands are met.

"Till the discrimination comes to an end and our demands are met, we will continue our agitation. The level of agitation can be high or low. We are highlighting the issue of identity because racial discrimination exists in the country. There is discrimination on the basis of nationality," he said.

Reiterating that discrimination also exists in jobs, he said not more than five percent of the Madhesi youth have been employed in the security forces.

The Federal Alliance, a coalition of 28 parties, is demanding that the government must invite the leaders of all parties for talks.

However, they have set pre-conditions for the government, which include withdrawing cases against their cadres, declaring those killed in the Madhesi protests 'martyrs' and providing expenses for treatment of those injured.