Addressing a function organized by Madhesi Journalists Association (MJA) in the capital on Saturday, Madhesi leaders stressed the need for forming an alliance on the basis of ideology and agenda. [break]
“An alliance can be formed for the sake of Madhesi cause, ideology and issues, but not only for getting ministerial portfolios,” said Chairman of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato. He maintained the Madhesi leaders must justify the frequent split in Madhes-based parties before trying to form a single party or alliance.
“Currently, there are 13 Madhes based parties and we are taking about forming a single party in Madhes,” said Mahato.
Chairman of Madhesi People"s Rights Forum-Republican Rajkishor Yadav said the Madhesi leaders should identify common grounds for forging an alliance or a single party. “A unification based on sentiment will not work,” he argued.
Yadav also argued that unification between Madhesi parties or formation of an alliance cannot solve all the problems.
However, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur claimed that an alliance of Madhesi parties is inevitable. “Continued discrimination against Madhesis has been encouraging Madhes-based parties to come together,” he said.
Thakur stated that the Madhesi parties must come together as they share the same pain. “If we have a common goal of ending inequality, we must come together to achieve it,” he said. Defending his attempt to forge a united party or an alliance in Madhes, Thakur argued he was taking initiatives for a good cause.
Former Vice-president of Nepal Bar Association (NBA) Surendra Mahato ruled out the possibility of a single party from Madhes. “So, a minimum understanding between Madhes-based parties is a must so as to be able to work together for common causes,” he added.
Meanwhile, MJA has announced three separate awards for Madhesi journalists. The awards Gajendra Narayan Singh Smriti Barishta Madhesi Patrakar Puraskar, Martyr Ramesh Mahato Smriti Yuva Madhesi Puraskar and Sakriya Madhesi Mahila Puraskar carrying a purse of Rs 11,001, 11,001 and 5,001 respectively will be conferred on Madhesi journalists annually.
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