Madhes parties to join any govt that okays amendment

Published On: December 28, 2017 06:15 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Dec 28: Senior leaders of the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) have expressed readiness to support any party in forming the government if their concerns related to the constitution are addressed. 

FSFN and RJPN leaders told Republica that they are positive about collaborating with either the UML or the Maoist Center, the favorites to form the new government if there is an unequivocal commitment to revise the constitution.

The remarks from the Madhesi leaders come at a time when parties are exploring several options for government formation amid fresh signs of tension in the left alliance.
 
Both Madhes-based parties, two of the five national parties, have been separately holding talks with UML, NC and CPN (Maoist Center) to discuss various possibilities of government formation.

Though their support will not be required to form the government if the left alliance remains intact, the two Madhes-based parties will be kingmakers if a UML-Maoist government fails to materialize. Besides making efforts to form the left government, parties are alternately looking at the possibility of two different power equations: one comprising UML and smaller parties, and another led by Maoist Center and all parties except the UML. 

"We are eager to participate in forming a government if our longstanding demands are met," Rajendra Shrestha told Republica. 

Although RJPN leaders have said in public that their first preference is to form a government without the UML, they have been taking part in informal discussions with the UML leadership. 
 
"We are keen to collaborate with any of the three major parties if they support our agenda. If not, we cannot support them," said RJPN presidium member Rajendra Mahato.
 
RJPN and FSFN have also started seeking support of major parties to form their government in Province 2. Despite winning the election together and announcing to form their joint government, the parties have not been able to agree on a candidate for chief minister.
 
FSFN leader Lal Babu Raut and RJPN leader Manish Kumar Suman have been seen as two probable candidates for chief minister of the province.


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