Siraha, September 14

Major political parties have outshone the Madhes-based parties in Siraha, the crucible of the months-long second Madhes agitation, in the run-up to the third round of civic polls.

According to experts, a tough electoral battle is expected in Dhangadi, Golbazaar, Mirchaiya, Siraha, Karjanha municipalities and almost all rural municipalities in the district in the third round of civic polls slated for September 18.

“As for Siraha’s Lahan municipality, there will be a tough competition among the NC’s Achmitlal Chaudhary, CPN-UML’s Muni Sah and Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Padam Narayan Chaudhary for the mayoral post,” said local Dalit campaigner Umesh Bishunkhe, adding that odds were equally high for all three candidates.

“On the one hand, the people are not ready to trust the Madhesi forces given their poor track record; while on the other, there is not a single candidate to reckon with from those parties,” said Assistant Professor Chandeshwor Yadav of Siraha talking to THT.

“The people in the Madhes are seeking inclusive and proportional representation in all state mechanisms and are still ready to fight for the same, but hardly do they trust the Madhesi parties to lead,” he said, adding that the poor chances of Madhes-based parties has to do with their failure to win the trust of the people.