Nepal: UDMF, FA to launch fresh protests targeting local polls

The United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, and the Federal Alliance (FA), an alliance of disgruntled federal parties, are set to hold fresh protests as their demands are yet to be addressed.

The UDMF and FA on Sunday disclosed their plans of nationwide baton protest aiming to disrupt the local-level elections scheduled for May 14.

"The leaders of three main parties promulgated the Constitution in name of Fast Track violating the provisions in interim constitution, agreements made at time of Constituent Assembly, State Restructuring Commission's report," Om Gurung, the spokesperson of Federal Alliance, said in press meet.

As per the schedule, the protest will go into effect from April 18 with a torch rally in every district headquarter and major city and will be held on several dates until May 10 that will witness indefinite general strikes across the nation.

Though the government recently tabled a new amendment proposal in the Parliament to appease the disgruntled parties, it has been rejected by both the FA and the UDMF.

The UDMF and the FA have been demanding constitutional amendment promulgated in 2015 that includes amendments in the provisions of citizenship.

Delineation is their primary demand to go for the May polls.

An attempt to amend the Constitution has already failed as the present government withdrew the second amendment replacing it with a new one, not accepted by the agitating parties.