Political analyst CK Lal said that the prospect of any alliance between the Nepali Congress and Madhes-based parties appears very dim. “I don´t think Madhes-based parties would go for alliance with any non-Madhes based party,” said Lal, adding, “There would be two alliances of Madhes-based parties for the election.” [break]
“Though the Nepali Congress is a democratic party, Madhes-based parties could forge alliances only with other Madhesi parties,” Lal added.
Central member of Sadbhavana Party (SP) Upendra Mahato has said that there was only a very slight chance of forging alliance with the Nepali Congress. “If the Nepali Congress formally decides that they will support the one-Madhes agenda then we can go for an alliance with them,” he said.
He said his party was focusing on welcoming into its fold leaders from other parties. “Central members from the Upendra Yadav-led MPRF Nepal, UCPN (Maoist), Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, Mahanth Thakur-led TMDP, Mahendra Yadav-led TMDP Nepal and various armed outfits which have came into open politics have joined our party,” he said.
He said his party was taking initiatives to unify various small parties under the leadership of its chairman, Rajendra Mahato. “Singer Komal Oli is all set to join our party within a week,” he added.
A senior leader seeking anonymity told Republica that Mahanth Thakur was holding talks for either getting into an alliance or unification with the Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar-led MPRF-D and Rajendra Mahato-led SP under his own leadership.
Vice-chairman of TMDP Brikhesh Chandra Lal said that if the Madhes-based parties would not go for alliances in the poll they will loose their cadres. “The cadres and district leaders are all prepared for alliances and if the party does not form any alliance they will be compelled to forge alliances at the local level,” he argued.
Central member of MPRF-Nepal Shrawan Kumar Agrawal said his party was engaged in internal homework for the election. “We are now carrying out internal homework and election fever will follow after a month,” he said.
His was a strong party in Madhes, he said adding, “Our party doesn´t need any alliance and we have the confidence to win the polls,” he argued.
Central member of JP Gupta-led Terai-Madhes National Campaign Rakesh Gupta Roshan said that the campaign would not be registered as a single party. “We are seeking unification with other like-minded parties and talks are underway in this connection,” he stated.
“There will be only two alliances at the time of elections, one led by Upendra Yadav and the other led by Mahanth Thakur,” Gupta predicted.
An analyst seeking anonymity alleged that Upendra Yadav was involved in caste politics. “From top to bottom, the leaders belong to the Yadav caste and his MPRF-Nepal only serves the interests of a certain caste,” he argued. He also claimed that there would be no alliance between Madhes-based parties and non-Madhes based ones.
Civic leaders for addressing Madhes issues before elections