KATHMANDU, JULY 27

In less than six months of the formation of the Federal Democratic Front, a rift has flared up in seven Tarai-Madhes-centric parties over a by-election in Rupandehi Constituency-3. The seven-party Front was formed in April.

The Election Commission (EC) decided to hold a by-election in Rupandehi Constituency-3 on November 3. In a recent announcement, the EC stated that the nomination will be conducted on 7 October, while the final name list of candidates will be published on 9 October along with the election symbol of the candidates.

As per previous consecutive meetings of the seven parties, six of them have stood in favour of the Nagrik Unmukti Party (NUP) as Front common representative in the by-election. However, Janamat has been adamant with the demand that the Front was formed for the interest of Madhes, such as constitutional amendment, not for election purposes.

'Thus, we have already geared up for the by-election,' Sharad Singh Yadav, Spokesperson for the Party, told THT. 'We had a contested by-election against Upendra Yadav in Bara Constituency-2 despite staying in the coalition.'

The JSP-Nepal president Upendra Yadav had defeated Janamat Party's Shiva Chandra Kushwaha in Bara Constituency-2.

He further said, 'This time, the Front is forcing us to stick with something which we never agreed on due to some of the parties trying to make space in the government by kicking out the Janamat Party from the government.'

However, the Janamat Party is still reconsidering its position on whether to remain in the Federal Democratic Front.

Yadav further emphasised that the third issue which has fuelled reconsideration thought over the position of Janamat in the Front is the Rupandehi-3 by-election. Six Madhes-centric parties have already agreed to field a common candidate from the NUP in Rupandehi-3. Janamat has prepared to field its own candidate.

According to Yadav, the Front is not for an electoral alliance. Janamat will have its own candidate in Rupandehi Constituency-3. The parties in the front have been calling meetings in turn. JSP-Nepal has called a meeting on Monday (today).

As per Janamat leaders, there is a high possibility that they will not participate in today's meeting. However, Yadav said that 'we would know about that today'.

Yadav noted three reasons, including the Rupandehi-3 by-election in particular, for reconsidering the cooperation in the Front.

'We have raised questions about the inability to welcome the Ashok Rai-led Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) to the Federal Democratic Front,' he said.

JSP, with seven legislators, is the largest party among the Madhes-centric parties. Yadav told THT that Janamat is concerned about the exclusion of the Ashok Rai-led JSP from the Front.

Janamat Party has also expressed doubts about the Upendra Yadav-led JSP-Nepal. Janamat suspects that JSP-Nepal has manipulated the ruling coalition to kick Janamat out and enter the ruling coalition. On the other hand, JSP-Nepal recently withdrew its support for the Oli-led government, citing 11 contentious issues on July 16.

'A Madhes-centric party trying to replace the Janamat Party in the ruling coalition and the Madhes province government,' said Janamat spokesperson Yadav.

Meanwhile, Rastriya Mukti Party-Nepal leader Anil Mahaseth said that this is just an excuse of Janamat to cover up its stance in the Rupandehi Constituency-3 by-election.

He further said, 'All six members of the Federal Democratic Front have endorsed the idea of NUP contesting in the Rupandehi by-election. However, Janamat has opposed the proposal. Today is the meeting of the Front. If Janamat does not attend the meeting, it will be understood that it is not continuing with the front,' he said.

'However, I think Janamat should rethink its decision, as Madhesi people desire all parties representing Madhes to be on the same side at one of the hardest times for Madhes.'

The front consists of the JSP-Nepal, led by Upendra Yadav; the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party-Nepal, led by Mahantha Thakur; the Rastriya Mukti Party-Nepal, led by Rajendra Mahato; the Janamat Party, led by C.K. Raut; the Nagarik Unmukti Party; the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, led by Bhrishesh Chandra Lal; and the Janata Pragatisheel Party, led by Hridayesh Tripathi.