Two days after the agreement between the government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front, army chief General Rukmangad Katuwal has expressed his dissatisfaction. He says that the Nepal army is already inclusive and the government did not need to promise inclusiveness in the army.

Katuwal made his opinion known in a program held at the military headquarters to mark the 43rd anniversary of the National Cadet Corps. According to sources, Katuwal had also pressured the government to reject the UDMF's demand for one Madhes one region, citing that it undermined national integrity.

In the agreement signed on 28 February the government agreed to ensure proportional inclusion of the Madhes and other ethnic groups in the Nepal Army. The government had no choice but to accept after the Madhesi leaders added the demand for an inclusive army at the last minute.

The army is against any kind of reconstitution. Katuwal himself is against the proposed integration of the People's Liberation Army with the NA. At a recent press conference, Army spokesman Ramindra Chettri said: "We will not accept any politically active individual in the army."

The prime minister also doesn't look too happy about the army integration. While the army has clearly stated its opinion on PLA integration, views on the inclusion of Madhesis and other ethnic groups have only come out indirectly. This is no doubt due to the fact that the agreement on this was signed by the three main parties currently forming the government.