Fight on for party's control in MPRF

Yadav faction informs EC about expulsion of leaders

Gachchhadar faction prepares for legal and political fight

Possibility of reconciliation slim

KATHMANDU, June 8: The faction in the Madheshi People´s Rights Forum led by Chairman Upendra Yadav on Sunday informed the Constituent Assembly and the Election Commission about the expulsion of seven leaders, including Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, further deepening the crisis in the party and making reconciliation almost impossible.

The Gachchhadar faction has not taken the move lying down. [break]

In a secret move, the Gachchhadar faction consulted a group of lawyers on possible legal moves that it can take in the backdrop of Yadav´s notice to the Constituent Assembly and the Election Commission (EC). The legal moves include among other things, retaining party name, flag and election symbol through legal ways, meaning producing support of majority of 35-member Central Working Committee (CC) before the EC, which will then decide the fate of leadership of the party.

If the reconciliation efforts fail, the Gachchhadar faction is likely to visit the Election Commission in a day or two with the support of majority of CC members to claim the party´s name, flag and symbol, said Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav, party´s parliamentary secretary and a leader close to Gachchhadar.

“For this we consulted a group of lawyers on Sunday. Their move has led us to make preparations for legal and political fight. We are making preparations for that. But we are still in favor of keeping the party intact” he said.

In a letter to the Constituent Assembly Secretariat on Sunday, Yadav asked the CA chair to strip three leaders - Gachchhadar, parliamentary leader, Sarat Singh Bhandari, deputy parliamentary secretariat and Ram Janam Chaudhari, party´s chief whip -- of their membership saying that they are no longer associated with the party. He also requested the CA Secretariat to arrange for an opposition bench, saying it has withdrawn its support to the new government that is yet to take full shape. Chairman Yadav moved the EC on Sunday in a bid to block possible capture of party by Gachchhadar faction, by showing majority support from the party´s CC members.

The fourth largest party is now facing a big crisis after Yadav and Gachchhadar are involved in a power struggle within the party. The conflict reached its height on Friday when Yadav expelled seven leaders, including Gachchhadar, from the party accusing them of accepting deputy prime ministership without the party´s approval.

In the meantime, a group of 22 CA members on Sunday expedited their efforts to arrange for rapprochement talks, said Laxman Mahato, a CA member who wants reconciliation in the party. But their efforts did not work with both Yadav and Gachchhadar sticking to their guns.

The Yadav side has sought resignation of Gachchhadar as a condition for a possible reconciliation. Accordingly, a delegation from Yadav´s side called on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and requested him to relieve Gachchhadar from the post of deputy prime minister. The side also petitioned Dr Ram Baran Yadav in this regard.

“He must first resign, only then we can think about withdrawing the action against them,” said Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, the party´s general secretary who is close to the party chairman.

But Gachchhadar faction has reiterated its stance for reconciliation. “First, the action should be revoked,” said Ram Janam Chaudhari, party´s chief whip who is close to Gachchhadar.

Despite all these events, the Gachchhadar faction has continue to maintain that it would not let the party to split.

Will the three lose CA membership?

Though MPRF establishment side sought the CA Chairperson to strip Gachchhadar, Bhandari and Chaudhari of CA membership, they will continue to enjoy their membership until they do not change the party.

Article 67 of the Interim Constitution says that one loses his CA membership on following grounds.

(a) If CA member resigns.

(b) If he/she is disqualified to be CA member.

(c) If he/she is absent from ten consecutive meetings, without giving notice.

(d) If the political party of which he or she was a member when elected provides a notification as provided in the law that he or she has abandoned the party or his or her membership of the party ceases.

(e) If he or she dies.

In the meantime, the Business Advisory Committee of the Constituent Assembly convened Sunday afternoon to discuss on the letter from MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav. It took no decision on the issue.

kiran@myrepublica.com