Biratnagar, July 18

Barely three months since it came into being, a dispute has surfaced in the district working committee of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal in Morang.

The party had been formed through merger of six Madhes-based parties about three months ago with the provision that the chair of all the merged parties will make a presidium and lead the party turn-wise.

As per the model, Mahamad Kadir had led the party in Morang. But, a dispute has now appeared here after Radhe Kamat claimed the position of the new chairman of the party in the district, saying that Kadir’s tenure had expired.

As per the RJP-N statute, the party will have a new chair from among the presidium members every two months. While Kamat declared himself the chair of the party in the district through a press conference in Biratnagar yesterday citing the statutory provision about change in leadership, Kadir also held a conference today to affirm his position as the party chair, arguing that he had retained the post after the party’s extended meeting chose him.

While Kamat’s group is said to have recommended action against Kadir and his supporters to the centre, Kadir’s coterie is also said to be preparing to take action against Kamat’s group citing the latter’s anarchic activities.

With the row deepening, the entire party now finds itself divided into two factions. While presidium members Shreeram Kamat, Malbabu Sahani and Gayanand Mandal, along with General Secretary Ramlal Sutihar and central members Satya Narayan Sah and Rajiv KC have supported Kamat; party central Vice-chairperson Yadubansh Sah, General Secretary Jagadish Adhikari, General Secretary Dilip Dhadewa, central members Rajendra Prasad Gupta and Shankar Prasad Shah have supported Kadir’s group.

Kamat is the former district chairperson of Sadbhawana Party led by Rajendra Mahato; whereas Kadir is former party district chairperson and central member of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party.