Earlier, FDRA had decided to participate in the polls by forming a single alliance of parties with common agendas. “We could not take any decision on forming poll alliance as the Madhesi leaders have yet to come up with a decision on the issue,” FDRA Spokesperson Prem Bahadur Singh told Republica. He also said that the Madhesi alliance has not been able to meet as some of its leaders are currently in India.
According to Singh, the Madhesi alliance will take a decision on forming such an alliance after the return of its leaders from India. “FDRA will take a concrete decision on the issue after the Madhesi alliance leaders clarify their stance. He also claimed that there still was immense possibility of the formation of a broader election alliance with the Madhesi parties.
Madhesi leaders say there is no possibility within FDRA of an election alliance. Leaders of the Madhes-based parties have been saying that the UCPN (Maoist) only wants to capitalize on the strength of Madhes based parties to win seats in Madhes constituencies. They also argue that the UCPN (Maoist) does not genuinely support the cause of Madhes.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal has already announced to file his candidacy from Madhes.
Interestingly, Madhesi parties included in FDRA are also planning to form separate election alliances. While Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Madhesi People´s Rights Forum- Democratic Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhedar are planning to form a single election alliance, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, who is outside FDRA, is planning to form a separate alliance.
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