Madhesi forces aim to form alliance

KATHMANDU: Unhappy with the contents and process of draft constitution, Madhesi forces have intensified their attempts to form a broader alliance to launch street protest.

A meeting of Madhesi forces, including Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhawana Party, Mahantha Thakur-led Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Anil Kumar Jha-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Jay Prakash Prasad-Gupta led Tarai Madhes National Campaign and Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist, have agreed to form a broader alliance for the movement.

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav was out of the Valley so could not attend the meeting, said TMDP Vice Chair Brikhesh Chandra Lal.

Lal told THT that all the leaders who attended the meeting agreed to form an alliance and work under a single strategy to fight for the Madhesi cause.

“The state has forced us to launch protests. This draft constitution is a regressive document against Madhesis,” Lal said, adding that the draft constitution was brought with an aim to deny Madhesis their right. He said draft constitution’s provision on citizenship and proposal to postpone federalism would affect Madhesis the most. The draft constitution does not ensure Madhesis’ proportional representation in state organs,” he added.

TMNP Chair Gupta said TMDP Chair Thakur opened the meeting with a serious appeal for unity among the Madhesi forces.

Gupta said Thakur told the meeting that if the draft constitution was adopted in the present form, Madhesis would lose everything.

Gupta said TMDP Chair Thakur would soon meet Yadav and would seek his support for the cause.

“Although Madhesi forces were divided in the past, I think now they will unite, putting their differences aside,” Gupta added.

Gupta said he told the meeting that Madhesi forces with representation in the CA should have forged an alliance long before but even at this stage he welcomed the efforts to form an alliance. “Madhesis can get their rightful share only through movement,” Gupta added. SP Chair Mahato said the draft constitution pushed Madhesis agendas 50 years backward again and there was no option for the Madhesi forces but to launch a fierce street movement.

Mahato said Madhesi leaders of other parties such as the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the Unified CPN-Maoist could also support their efforts.