General convention of Tamalopa starts

The first general convention of Terai-Madhesh Democratic Party has commenced in Nawalparasi's headquarters Parasi today. Speaking at the inaugural session of the convention, TMDP Chair Mahantha Thakur said his party was ready to sit for talks if its basic demands were addressed. Accusing the government of further increasing its rounds and arrests after the Madhesh agitation started simmering, leader Thakur said the government itself had to create a conducive environment for result-oriented dialogue. Also speaking at the programme, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said his party would be steadfast towards eradicating all kinds of discrimination in Madhesh. Also speaking at the programme were RPP Chairman Pashupati Sumsher Rana and Sadhbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato. Although invites for the general convention were also sent to CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Centre and New Force Party, the central leaders of the latter parties were not present at the programme. Although it was said the convention would also be attended by representatives and diplomats from other countries including Bangladesh, only Binaya Kumar, as representative of the Indian Embassy, took part in the programme. Formed on December 28, 2007, TMDP has held its general convention after nine years. The party has informed that the general convention will once again choose Mahantha Thakur as its chairman, while the strength of the 57-member central committee will be expanded to 71 members. 1,034 district representatives from 22 Terai districts and Jumla, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are taking part in the ongoing convention. Discussions at the general convention will be centred on Nepali politics, Madheshi society, Madheshi state, indigenous nationality, inter-relation between ethnic groups, and influence of domestic and international forces. The general convention will run for three days.