“Our Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting is scheduled for Thursday and Friday. We will discuss the matter at the meeting and endorse the draft of a letter that we will subsequently send to TMDP,” said a senior SP leader seeking anonymity. [break]
Speaking to Republica, SP General Secretary Manish Suman said that they will discuss about unification with other Madhesi parties during the CWC meeting. “Election strategies, organizational positions, the current political situation, election manifestos and the agenda for the November poll will be discussed at the CWC meeting,” said Suman, adding, “The same ratio of proportional to first-past-the-post should be maintained as in the previous CA election if there is going to a meaningful CA poll,” he said.
While confirming that internal negotiations over unification are under way, a senior TMDP leader seeking anonymity told Republica that SP was closer to his party. “The unification talks could not materialize due to disputes relating to leadership,” said the TMDP leader. He further accused SP of being engaged in just fulfilling personal ambitions.
He said that they would try their best to form a unified Madhesi party under the leadership of Mahantha Thakur. It is to be noted that within the past few months as the CA poll looms, dozens of Madhesi leaders have switched sides and joined other Madhesi and non-Madhesi parties just to strengthen their positions for the November poll.
Vice-chairman of TMDP Brikhesh Chandra Lal said they were serious about unification with any ´like-minded´ Madhesi party. “We had called for unification 16 months ago,” said Thakur, accusing other Madhesi parties of not being serious over the unification process.
“Our two-day CWC meeting starting Wednesday is discussing party unification and other election-related agenda,” said Lal, adding, “We are serious about the unification process.” He further said that parties looking forward to unification should not come with any preconditions.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Shah, former central committee member of the Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar-led Madhesi People´s Right Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D), has joined SP amidst a party function in Janakpur, Wednesday.
Speaking to Republica, Shah said, "We are to organize a motorcycle rally in Janakpur to draw the attention of the city people to the fact that I have joined the Sadbhavana Party." He further said SP was the oldest Madhes-based party and the ´single party for the Madhesi cause´.
"My arrival in the SP would definitely make the party stronger in the eastern Madhes," said Shah, adding, "The Tarai people have assured me of victory in the fresh CA poll also."
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