Observers said it has become hard for the candidates of various Madhesi parties to impress the voters. The candidates of the Nepali Congress (NC), UML and UCPN (Maoist) as well as those of the Madhesi parties are reaching out to the voters to impress them.[break]
Given the past landslide in favour of the Madhesi parties, which gave birth to a number of parties, the major parties are now trying their best to woo the same voters.
The chiefs of the major parties are also contesting from constituencies in Madhes. For instance, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is a candidate from Siraha, NC President Sushil Koirala is contesting from Banke, and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal from Sarlahi.
Likewise, the party chiefs of the Madhesi parties are also in the race. The chiefs of the Madhesi parties who have filed candidacy from Morang, Sunsari and Sarlahi would have to face a tough battle as the voters are disappointed with them for compromising on the agenda of Madhes.
Madhesi People´s Right Forum-Nepal (MPRF-N) Chairman Upendra Yadav is contesting from constituencies in both Morang and Sunsari. MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar is contesting from constituency number 7 of Morang and number 3 of Sunsari.
Likewise, three party chiefs are contesting from Sarlahi district. Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Nepal (TMSPN) Chairman Mahendra Prasad Yadav are contesting from constituency number 4 while Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur is contesting from constituency 6 in Sarlahi.
Analysts say that there would be a tough battle among TMDP candidate Thakur, NC´s Amresh Singh and TMSPN´s Shiv Pujan Ray.
Even though the candidates have started reaching the voters, TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur has not yet even landed in his constituency. “Our party chairman will visit here soon,” said party leader Jangi Lal Ray.
In the last CA poll, both Singh and Thakur lost to Shiva Pujan Ray, who contested the poll representing MPRF-N.
Likewise, MPRF-D Chairman Gachchhadar won twice in previous elections. He contested the previous polls representing NC and MPRF-N. In the upcoming poll Gachchhadar is representing MPRF-D.
Observers say that Gachchhadar would also face tough battles in his constituencies. NC candidate Sekhar Koirala is a contender against Gachchhadar in constituency number 7, Morang. “There could be a tough poll battle between Gchchhadar and Koirala,” said locals.
Analysts say that the Madhesi parties received emotional support from Madhesis in the last poll but this time round there would be no repeat of this. "The Madhesi community had voted for the Madhesi parties on the basis of sentimental attachment as the poll was held in the wake of the Madhes uprising," Tula Narayan Sah, a political analyst, told Republica. He insists that splits in the Madhesi parties would influence poll results.
Sah further said that the organizational structure of the Madhesi parties had become weak. "They have not lived up to their promises," said Sah, adding, "They only played around with the issues of Madhes while they were in government".
MPRF-N leader Jay Ram Yadav also admits that split in the Madhesi parties would influence the poll result. "The voters are disappointed with their candidates."
Yadav had won from constituency number 5 of Morang in the by-election after the first CA poll.
Associate professor of political science Bijay Prasad Mishra said that the Madhesi parties would have to suffer a loss this time as they have abandoned their agenda.
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