KATHMANDU: Two days after Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic Chair  Bijay Kumar Gachhadar signed  the 16-point agreement with the big three parties — Nepali Congress,  CPN-UML and the UCPN-Maoist — the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) expelled MJF-D from the alliance.

A meeting of the front today decided to sever all ties with Gachhadar’s party, which was its largest constituent. A press release issued by  the front stated. The front said Gachhadar had signed the agreement against the goals and ideals of the front.

Terming the  agreement a regressive move against the spirit and goals of the Interim Constitution as well as other agreements signed in the past, the front said, the agreement would  push the nation towards more internal conflicts and instability. It said the attempt to bring a new constitution without reasonably delineating  the boundaries of the Pradeshes and distributing powers among the states was against the spirit of Madhes uprising, various agreements and Article 138 of the Interim Constitution. Thus, it was a conspiracy. The UDMF said it would not accept the 16-point agreement an its struggle for identity, inclusion and autonomous Pradeshes would continue.

It further argued that the deal had put issues and voices of Madhesis, indigenous groups, Dalits, Muslims, women and backward communities at stake.

Gachhadar, however, told THT that today’s meeting of the UDMF was illegal. As per the front’s rule, he argued, its  meetings can be called only when all the chiefs of constituent parties agree for the same and  decisions can also be taken only with the consent of the parties’ chiefs. He said the agreement had ended uncertainty about the constitution and hence it should be welcomed. Gachhadar said Madhesi and Janajatis would benefit from a new federal constitution and  boundaries of the Pradeshes would be delineated on the basis of identity and economic capability by a Federal Commission. He said the boundary question would be resolved as per the sentiments of the people.

Four constituents of the front — Sadbhavana Party, MJF-Nepal, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhavana Party-Nepal attended today’s meeting. Invitations were sent to National Madhes Socialist Party, Nepal Sadbhavana Party andMJF-R but they did not attend.