MJF won't join govt now: Yadav

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) chairman Upendra Yadav met UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday to discuss the possible power-sharing.

During the meeting held at the Maoist headquarters, Paris Danda, Yadav is known to have told Dahal that the MJF was not willing to join the government unless the main ruling partners gave clear commitment to address the issues concerning Madhesh and 'guarantee' that the peace process and the constitution-drafting would be concluded on time.

"We will not join the government until the questions surrounding the Madhesi issues are answered. The question is whether the issues of Madhes will be addressed," he told reporters after the meeting.

"We also want to be assured that the peace process and drafting of the constitution are completed by May 28," Yadav further said.

Yadav met Dahal a day after the Maoist party formally decided to join the government, naming Krishna Bahadur Mahara as the leader of its 11-member ministerial team.

Initially, the MJF seemed all set to join the Khanal government, but didn't take any formal decision in the wake uncertainty over the UCPN (M)'s participation in the government because of the dispute over the Home Ministry.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal is known to have offered the foreign portfolio to Yadav.

He had held the same portfolio in Maoist-led government formed after the Constituent Assembly election.