Rewriting statute not needed, amendment will do: Rajendra Mahato

Sadbhawana Party leader Rajendra Mahato has said that the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) was for amending the constitution, not for rewriting it.

His remarks comes on the wake on demands made by Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav that constitution should be rewritten to address the demands raised by some sections of the society.

Both Mahato and Yadav's parties are part of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, which is an alliance of seven Madhes-based forces that are protesting against the constitution.

"Our demand is amendment to some of the provisions of the constitution. We, Madhesi Morcha, have never called for rewriting the constitution," the Kathmandu Post quoted him as saying.

Yadav, on the other hand, has been pressing that Morcha would not sit for talks with the Prime Minister K.P. Sharma led- government until they agreed to rewrite the constitution.

Though the Morcha did not attend the all-party meeting called by Oli on Monday, Mahato said the letter sent by PM was a "positive move".

"We will respond to the PM after holding an internal meeting of the Morcha. We will make our position clear very soon," said Mahato.

Mahato, reportedly is one of the leaders not happy with Yadav's initiative to form an alliance between Madhesi and Janajati forces.