UDMF, indigenous parties in alliance

KATHMANDU, Aug 15: In a bid to collaborate for common issues, five Madhes-based political parties associated with United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and eight indigenous political parties and organizations affiliated with United Alliance for National Self-rule and Federalism (UANSF) have agreed to form an alliance--Samyukta Aadibasi Janajati-Madhesi Morcha Nepal (SAJMM-N). 



A meeting of a four-member joint taskforce of UDMF and UANSF held on Sunday in Kathmandu forged consensus on objectives, code of conducts and principles of the newly formed alliance.[break]



The taskforce is set to present a draft proposal outlining objectives, code of conducts and principles of the newly formed alliance at a meeting of the alliance in a couple of days for endorsement. 



The taskforce has agreed to work together for identity and rights of indigenous nationalities and Madhesis. “Both indigenous nationalities and Madhesi are downtrodden, so we have agreed to collaborate for our identity and rights,” said a member of the taskforce in condition of anonymity, adding, “So far we were struggling separately for our rights but we will struggle together from now on.”



The leaders have agreed to work together for the right to autonomy, federalism, secularism, and ethnic and regional autonomy.



The meeting has decided to form two separate committees to run SAJMM-N. The taskforce has proposed to form 13-member presidential council comprising chairmen from both sides and a 26-member working committee. Each party will lead the alliance for a month on rotational basis, according to the proposal.



The 13-member council will hold meeting every month whereas 26-member working committee will hold meeting every one and half month. The council will have the right to take major decisions on behalf of the alliance.



The taskforce has agreed to take decisions on common issues on the basis of consensus. “We will not make decisions on the basis of majority as we have aligned to work together for our rights,” the leader told Republica.



Similarliy, they have agreed to dissolve the alliance after completing its objectives.



UDMF comprises MPRF-R, MPRF-D, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP), TMDP-Nepal and Sadbhawana Party whereas UANSF comprises Nepa Rashtriya Party, Federal Democratic National Forum, Rashtriya Janamukti Party, Tamsaling Nepal Rashtriya Dala, Janamukti Party Nepal, Aadibasi Jatiya Chhetriya Mahasangh Nepal Akhil Nepal Aadibasi Janajati Mahasangh (Ekikrita), and Aadibasi Janajati Mahasangh (Samajbadi).

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