The new constitution, Constitution of Nepal-2072, was amended for the first time within 126 days of its promulgation on January 23, 2016. The amendment was made particularly to address some of the demands of the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). Although the amendment does incorporate issues, such as ensuring proportional inclusion of the backward communities, including the Madhesis, in the state bodies and delineating electoral constituencies on the basis of population as raised by the UDMF, the amendment has failed to appease the agitating parties. Reaction Initial reaction of the UMDF leaders to the amendment has been that it is partially positive but does not address their demands in totality. They have also brushed it aside as saying that the three major parties carried out the amendment unilaterally despite the UDMF’s objection. They have said they will continue with the nearly five-month-long protest programme that includes an indefinite general strike in the southern plains and sit-in at the border points. In a way, the amendment has missed its target for the time being. No doubt, the internal dynamics of the three major parties played a role in the way the amendment was made without securing an agreement from the agitating UDMF. The original amendment bill was registered within two weeks of the promulgation of the new constitution by the erstwhile NC-led government. The UDMF had then also rejected the way the amendment bill was introduced and said that it would not address their demands. However, rounds of talks were held ever since among the UDMF, the ruling parties and the main opposition party with a view to refining the language of the amendment bill through an amendment proposal on the bill and thus securing the consent of the UDMF or address its demands.
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