New government poised to address demands of Madhesis,improve ties with India: Nepal Deputy PM

By Binod Prasad Adhikari Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug.17 (ANI): Nepal's new governement is willing to address the demands of Madhesis and improve relation with India, the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Bimalendra Nidhi, said on Wednesday. In an exclusive interview given to ANI before undertaking his first official visit to India, Deputy Prime Minister Nidhi promised to make all efforts to strengthen ties between both nations and also address the demands of agitating parties. Though there is a provision of requiring a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution, Nidhi said he hoped it will be resolved through consensus. "So far the amendment in the Constitution is concerned, we are very much hopeful that the amendment in the Constitution will be done with all political parties. Even the CPN-UML, the then Prime Minister K.P Oli in response to parliamentarians in the house during his no-confidence motion, also has assured the parliament that he is ready to helpin amending the Constitution if it is needed," Nidhi said. Terming the dissatisfaction of various groups over the provisions in constitution as technical issues, Nidhi said it can be resolved through consensus and amendment. Asked about the time frame for incorporating the amendment in the Constitution, Nidhi said, "We are working on this amendment issue and very soon we are in the process of consultation with the Madhesi Morcha, party leaders and even CPN-UML leaders. We have to do some homeworks now for this amendment, to work for the legal constitutional aspects so it will be done very soon." Asked about his visit to India, scheduled to start from Thursday, Nidhi admitted that he will be going there to invite Indian President Pranab Mukharjee for a state visit to Nepal and also to schedule the visits of Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal. (ANI)