The long standing dispute between the Nepal government and the Madhesis seem to be temporarily at an end. The country’s Madhesi parties, the Federal Alliance have struck a deal with the Prachanda-led coalition government under which they have agreed to take part in the local body elections after a revised Constitution amendment bill would be passed in Parliament. The Madhesis have called off their agitation. The government has proposed two dates- May 14 and June 14 for conducting the local polls. But Madhesis will participate only after the amendment bill gets endorsed in Parliament. A cabinet meeting endorsed the agreement forged between the ruling parties and the Federal Alliance. Prime Minister Prachanda had earlier held consultations with the Chief Election Commissioner, Ayodhi Prasad Yadav and the main opposition leader, CPN-UML Chief KP Sharma Oli regarding the amendment.
The local body elections will take place after a gap of two decades. These elections will empower the people and distribute power from the Secretariat in Kathmandu to villages. Madhesi parties had earlier warned the government that they would disrupt the local elections unless their demands including proportional representation in Parliament were adhered to. It is high time peace and democracy had been secured in Nepal. India should do its best to bring about stability in that country and not invite criticism for aiding the Madhesis who have Indian connection. That would prevent Kathmandu from veering towards Beijing.