In a surprising move, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) demanded the dissolution of interim parliament at the third round of formal talks between the government and MJF on Saturday.

“We think that it is wrong for parties to pocket salaries and benefits and exploit state resources and then take part in election. We think this interim parliament should be dissolved once the Election Programmes are released.. Their (legislative) authority can be given to the government,” said Upendra Yadav, chief of MJF. The MJF had spearheaded the Madhes agitation in January and February this year.

The talks that began at 2 pm at Godavari Village Resort in Lalitpur ended within an hour. According to Kishor Bishwas, the MJF vice-chairman and one of negotiators of the party, the talks could not progress due to lack of homework on the part of the government team.

He said there was no serious debate on key MJF demands, which include constitutional guarantee of federal governing system with local autonomy along with right to self determination, and fully proportional electoral system for constituent assembly elections.

Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel, who heads the government’s talk team, said the meeting reviewed the implementation process of the agreement reached in talks held in Janakpur on June 01.

Next round of talks will be held within August 5, reports say.

Peace minister Poudel and state ministers Gyanendra Karki and Ram Chandra Yadav participated in the talks while the MJF team comprised of party chairman Upendra Yadav, vice-chairman Bishwas, Sitanandan Raya and Nasir Siddiqui.