Upendra Yadav, a leading ethnic Madhesi protest leader, speaks in parliament in Kathmandu in November. (AP photo).
Madhesi leaders on Tuesday rejected Nepal government's "abstract"
proposal to accommodate some of their demands by amending the new Constitution, dimming hopes of an end to the months-long political crisis plaguing the country.
Upendra Yadav, one of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leaders spearheading the agitation in southern Nepal, said, "Abstract proposal won't solve the current crisis." Mr Yadav, chairman of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, said the UDMF has rejected the proposal.
"Front's major demands include delineation of provinces, population as basis for constituencies and proportional representation. They should be addressed immediately," he said.
Jitendra Sonal, another senior leader of the UDMF, said their agitation and blockade would continue till the government meet all demands put forth by Madhesi parties.
A blockade by Madhesi groups of a key border point with India has left Nepal severly short in supply of fuel and essential supplies. (AP photo)
He was talking to the media during a sit-in at Miteri Pul, the bridge linking India's Raxaul and Birgunj of Nepal.
Mr Sonal, of the Terai Madhes Democratic Party, termed the three-point roadmap prepared by Nepal government "faulty" and thus unacceptable to the UDMF.
However, Nepali Congress (NC) leader Mahesh Acharya, after UDMF-NC talks at party president Sushil Koirala's residence in Maharajgunj, said the meeting was heading towards a positive direction.
The Constitution Amendment Bill already tabled in the Parliament incorporates only two major demands: proportionate representation of the Madhesis in all state mechanisms and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population.
Nepalese policemen use tear gas to disperse ethnic Madhesi protesters in Gaur, a town about 160 kilometers south of Kathmandu on Sunday, Dec 20, 2016. (AP photo)
Nepal's Cabinet has decided to set up a political mechanism to recommend solutions to disputes over the proposed provincial boundaries within three months of its formation.
But Madhesi leaders said they want issues related to citizenship certificate distribution and re-demarcation of the provincial boundary addressed along with their other demands.
Madhesis have been protesting for over four months against the seven-province model proposed in the Constitution adopted on September 20. More than 50 people have been killed in the protests since August.