Most of them agreed that there indeed was a need of a single party that espoused Madhesi cause, though the differences over leadership would prove a handicap. [break]
"Madhesi peoples and cadres wish to see a single party in Madhes, but I don´t think the leadership would succeed in forming such a party," said General Secretary of Sadbhawana Party Manish Suman in the capital on Sunday, while addressing an interaction organized by Tarai Madhesi Student Front, the student wing of TMDP.
He opined that though Madhes-based parties agree on the formation of a single Madhesi party, it will be hard for them to decide who would lead the unified party.
Chairman of Federal Sadbhawana Party Anil Kumar Jha expressed his doubt over such proposal being floated at all. "If TMDP really wants the formation of single Madhesi party, first it should have floated the proposal among all the constituent parties of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF)," Jha said. Jha, who is the industry minister in current coalition, stated that TDMP should have sought feedback from the constituent parties before forwarding the proposal to parties that are not aligned with the UDMF.
Similarly, General Secretary of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republican (MPRF-R) Atmaram Sah maintained that a single Madhesi party can be formed only if the leaders gave up their personal interests. "The desire for power is the main factor behind the splits in Madhesi parties," Sah stated.
Political analyst Tulanarayan Sah said despite their strong agenda, Madhesi parties will not be able to form a single party because they have immature leaders.
"Please end dependency on the Indian Embassy before talking about the formation of a single Madhesi party," Sah said, referring to Madhesi parties.
Women activist Manchala Jha said since Madhesi parties share similar agenda and goals, forming a single party should not be that hard.
Joint General Secretary of TMPD Jitendra Sonal said they have proposed the formation of a single Madhesi party with good intention. "Our party is ready to make sacrifices for a single Madhesi party," stated Sonal, adding, "This is not a propaganda."
TMDP had formed a three-member committee, led by its Vice-chairman Hridayash Tripathi, last month to hold talks with other Madhes-based parties on the possibility of forming a single Madhesi party.
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