Nepal government, protesters discuss main issue but don't reach agreement on 2nd day of talks

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015 file photo, government minister Mahesh Acharya talks to the media after talks with ethnic protesting group Madhesi in Kathmandu, Nepal. Negotiators from Nepal’s government and the main group protesting against the new constitution discussed the main issue of expanding the size of proposed states on Wednesday, though little progress was made on the second day of talks. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015 file photo, Laxman Lal Karna from the United Democratic Madhesi Front talks to the media after talks with government negotiators in Kathmandu, Nepal. Negotiators from Nepal’s government and the main group protesting against the new constitution discussed the main issue of expanding the size of proposed states on Wednesday, though little progress was made on the second day of talks. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha, File) (The Associated Press)

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Negotiators from Nepal's government and the main group protesting against the new constitution have discussed the main issue of expanding the size of proposed states, though little progress was made on the second day of talks.

There was no agreement reached Wednesday because the United Democratic Madhesi Front insisted on immediate changes to the size of the states, while the government negotiators said changes can be made only through a process.

Both sides agreed to discuss the issue with representatives from their sides and meet again on Friday.

The ethnic Madhesis are not happy with the size of the proposed state for them in southeast Nepal.

The protests have stopped the flow of fuel and other essential supplies to most of the country.