Addressing a press meet at the party´s central office in the capital, Thakur said unification efforts were being made so as to be able to strongly raise Madhesi issues and address them through the new statute to be drafted by the Constituent Assembly (CA). “We are holding dialogues with various Madhes-based parties both for unification and alliances,” he said, adding that the efforts made so far yielded positive results.
Thakur stressed on the need for unification between Madhes-based parties as all the parties have more or less the same political agenda. “A majority of the parties have the same political agenda. Why not go for unification?” he questioned.
On a separate context, Thakur also demanded constituency delineation in Madhes on the basis of size of the population. “Half of the country´s total population lives in Madhes. We want at least 50 percent constituencies in the Madhes region,” he said.
Unification still elusive
TMDP Spokesperson Sarbendra Nath Shukla said unification between Madhesi parties appear unlikely for the time being as most of the senior Madhesi leaders are vying for the top position of the unified party.
Shukla said though Madhesi people want unification between Madhes-based parties for the cause of Madhes, top leaders seem to be ignoring this feeling among the Madhesi populace. “None of the top leaders of these parties seem to be ready to sacrifice their positions,” said Shukla.
Shukla claimed that Madhesi people still trust Madhesi leaders. “People want to see unification not just for electoral gains,” he said, adding cautiously that the time was not yet ripe for unification. “How can there be unity among Madhesi parties when none of the leaders are ready to accept any one among them as leaders,” he said.
Shukla was indirectly referring to protests by TMDP central members against the inclusion of Anil Jha, Mahendra Ray Yadav and Sarita Giri in the party´s senior positions. Party insiders say while Mahendra Roy Yadav has staked claim to the position of vice chairman, Sarita Giri has wants the position of co-chairperson of the party. Likewise, Anil Jha has demanded the post general secretary in TMDP.
Shukla claimed that small parties led by Mahendra Ray Yadav, Anil Jha and others have already lost their influence in Tarai-Madhes.
However, Chairman of Federal Sadbhawana Party Anil Jha said that his party has expanded to 22 Tarai districts. “I am hopeful that our party will stand stronger after the CA polls. I support unification between the Madhes-based parties,” he added.
50 new entrants in SP
KATHMANDU: A total of 50 district-level leaders of various parties in Kathmandu have joined Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhavana Party. Central member of SP Rajeev Jha said, “All these leaders are of non-Madhesi origin and we are hopeful that our party will emerge a strong competitor even in the hill-based constituencies.”
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