A meeting of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) on Tuesday decided to carry on with all kinds of protest programs and argued that they have not quit their political agendas.Clarifying their move UDMF issued a press release that read, "We voted in the election not only because it was needed to stand against the coalition of radical communist, regressive and ultra-nationalist groups but also because it was a compulsion following the Supreme Court verdict and Parliamentary Regulation,".
"We have not accepted this constitution with regressive features. We have not given up our political agenda. Unless the rights of marginalized are secured in the constitution, the protest will continue," the statement read further.
However, some leaders within the coalition have been lambasting senior leaders and alleging them of betraying the "mass movement" that has scaled a great height.
"The leaders were well aware of nearing festivals. Instead of guiding the mass movement to a logical end before festive season begins, the leaders attended the parliament to vote for picking the Prime Minister," said Sadbhavana Party General Secretary Manish Suman.
"To save their parliamentary positions, they misguided other leaders and cadres. This defused the movement. It is betrayal to Madhesi people. Their decision to continue protest is only a face-saving move," he added.
Top leaders of the UDMF said that Madhes is in no mood to celebrate festivals until their agendas are addressed in the constitution. "We'll continue protesting at border checkpoints and carrying out other programs. We will celebrate Dashain from protest grounds," said Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur.
UDMF leaders discussed about changing the model of protest programs but decided to continue with existing programs to force government to come to political negotiations.
Rifts within Tharuhat
Meanwhile, Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee issued a press release on Tuesday stating that they would give continuity to programs of organizing protest rallies, corner meetings and keep on exposing the anti-federal forces during Dashain and Tihar.
"Our protest programs will go on effectively. We cannot withdraw protest programs in the name of any Tharu individual being elected a minister," stated the press release.
Republica correspondent Devendra Basnet reports from Dang that Tharu agitation has witnessed serious rifts as some parties and leaders leading the movement have joined the new government while some others are asking for changing the modality of protest programs.
The rifts within Tharuhat have compelled leaders to reform the struggle committee. "We'll meet soon and reform the struggle committee. The greed of some people to get into power cannot take our mass movement to the logical end. We'll expose whoever has used the protest to get into power," said Rukmini Chaudhary, also a member of parliament.
Leaders including Chaudhary criticized Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) leaders Ram Janam Chaudhary and Yogendra Tharu for voting in election for Prime Minister and their party joining the government.
"Will they join the government or dare to come to the street against their own government?" she questioned.
On the other hand, Lawmaker Yogendra Chaudhary said that their party has not left behind Tharuhat agendas while joining the government and argued that the party joined the new government only after signing a deal with major parties that their agendas will be addressed.
"We have clearly told our party chairman that we should leave the government if our agendas are not addressed timely. Chastising us only because of we voted in the PM election is not fair," said Yogendra Chaudhary.
"Rukmini jee also voted in the election. She was there to vote for Sushil Koirala and she cut no deal with him to address our agendas," added Yogendra.
The local leaders of Tharuhat have been severely criticizing the parliamentarians and top leaders. "Cadres at different districts are calling us and abusing all the Tharu leaders, who voted in the parliament, as cowards and greedy individuals. They have asked us not to join the same league," said Lawmaker Ganga Chaudhary, whose party Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal had boycotted the PM election.
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