Mahanth Thakur-led Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar-led Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) reached an agreement Saturday to go for seat adjustments for the November polls.
Speaking to Republica, MPRF-D Vice-chairman Rameshwar Raya Yadav said that they have reached a consensus to work out political adjustments with TMDP. “We will jointly contest the forthcoming polls,” said Yadav, adding however that any common manifesto or common candidates were now out of the question.
He further said that they have formed a six-member traskforce for the purpose. [break]
“Hridyesh Tripathi, Brikhesh Chandra Lal and Sarvendra Nath Sukla are the three leaders representing TMDP and Rameshwor Raya Yadav, Jitendra Dev and Ram Janam Chaudhary will be from our party,” maintained Yadav.
However, he ruled out the possibility of any alliance or unification between Madhesi parties for the CA election. “Both alliance and unification talks are now outdated,” he said, claiming that they are also in talks with other Madhes-based parties to forge political adjustments.
The much-hyped unification between TMDP and Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhavana Party (SP) will not materialize, said party insiders. “Talk of unification and alliance between our party and TMDP was just media propaganda,” said Upendra Mahato, Central Committee (CC) member of SP. He accused TMDP Chairman Thakur of being greedy for power.
A senior leader from SP requesting anonymity informed Republica that neither unification nor any alliance could materialize because of TMDP Vice-chairman Hridyesh Tripathi´s personal interests. “Tripathi is a leader who always enjoys ´groupism in politics´,” he said, adding, “He [Tripathi] has paralyzed the TMDP leadership and Chairman Thakur is merely a ceremonial leader there.” He disclosed that there are two groups in TMDP, one-led by Sarvendra Nath Sukla and the other led by Tripathi.
He further accused Tripathi of pursuing personal ambitions.
Another SP leader, seeking anonymity, disclosed that many CC members of TMDP are likely to join SP within a few weeks.
SP leader Mahato said that political adjustment between TMDP and MPRF-D would not materialize. “Even political adjustment is not possible as the move was meant to prevent various CC leaders of the two parties from joining SP,” said Mahato.
However, political analysts have refuted the claims of SP and they are hopeful that adjustment between MPRF-D and TMDP would work in the cause of Madhes.
Political analyst CK Lal said “MPRF-D has the vote bank of Muslims and Tharus while TMDP has the vote bank of the Tarai upper castes.”
He also said there would be adjustments among the rest of the Madhesi parties also.
Related story
Central govt reluctant to entrust police command control to pro...
