Madhesi leaders have vowed to hold the CA elections at any cost on the scheduled date of November 19 stating that they are all prepared for the polls, despite political analysts believing that Madhesi parties are yet to launch their election campaigns. [beak]
“Madhesi parties are yet to streamline their preparations for the elections,” said political analyst CK Lal. He explicitly maintained that Madhesi parties still look unprepared.
Lal said Madheshi parties are still at loss for election agenda. “Madhesi people are disappointed with their leaders as they did not deliver on their promises,” said Lal, adding that the parties could not incorporate the Madhesi people´s demands for federalism and inclusiveness on the issue of recruiting Madhesi youths into national army. "
“Madhesi leaders are afraid of going to the people as they failed to delivered on the promises they made to them,” he added.
On a different note, Lal argued that the agenda of the Madhes as a single province has become weak as the demand is vague. He further said that there was very slim chances of unification between Madhesi parties as the number of leaders is bigger than that of party cadres.
However, Madhesi parties have refuted Lal´s claim.
Sadbhavana Party (SP) Chairman Rajendra Mahato said that from August 9 to 21 his party will launch ‘the people’s awareness campaign’ in every constituency. “We will carry out our awareness programs both in the Madhes and the hills,” said Mahato, adding, “In the hilly regions, the campaigns will be carried out at the district level while in Tarai at the constituency level.”
“Corner meets, public gatherings and political talks would be held as part of the awareness campaign,” said Mahato claiming that his party would get a national status by the fresh polls. He claimed that his party was fully prepared for the elections process.
“We will announce our candidates for the polls before August 23,” said Manish Suman, SP General Secretary. He further said that his party had already taken an initiative towards writing the party´s election manifesto.
Vice Chairman of Madhesi People’s Right Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D), Rameshwor Ray Yadav said that his party is going to hold a comprehensive meet before August 23 at Biratnagar.
“We are analyzing our strength and weakness minutely,” said Yadav, adding, “The issues of marginalization of Muslim, social ills and federalism would be on the agenda in the election manifesto.”
MPRF-Nepal Secretary Ratneshwor Lal Kayasth reiterated that they will boycott the November polls if their demands were not met.
“We are moving ahead simultaneously with preparations for the elections and protest programs,” said Kayasth maintaining that they were in favor of meaningful CA polls.
He said that if the government shows even a minimum level of flexibility to their demands then ‘they will join the poll processes´.
Joint Secretary of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Jitendra Sonal has said that they have started their first phase of the ´election orientation program’ in Sarlahi, Mahottari and Dhanusha. “Our party have created a pro-election environment,” said Sonal claiming that CA polls will be held on the scheduled date.
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