LAHAN, April 21: United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), which has been threatening to obstruct the upcoming local elections unless the constitution is amended to its liking, is now finding it hard to resist the election fever spreading among its own party members. More and more aspirants from the party and associated entities have announced their interest in running for different posts in the election.
On the other hand, UDMF is also losing promising figures to other parties that are ready for the polls. Changing parties ahead of the election is taking place on a massive scale as aspiring individuals want to ensure they get the maximum vote.
Political analyst Vijay Prasad Mishra terms the scenario as ‘very tough’ for UDMF. “Election fever has gripped everyone. Grand party ‘pravesh’ or entry functions are being organized by all the major parties irrespective of their stance on the election, and the cadres too are excited,” he said. “And no wonder as the parties are also trying to strengthen their hold,” he added.
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Rajkumar Gupta, who had contested the second constituent assembly election from Sadbhawana Party, joined Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum on Tuesday. Forum has been raising a strong voice of ‘no election’ until the government amends certain points in the constitution. Forum’s welcoming aspirants from other parties is a clear sign that even ‘opposing parties’ are taking the election seriously.
Recently led by Yogendra Yadav, Lalbabu Yadav and Jaya Prakash Gupta, among others, a huge number of Madhesi youths have joined the Tarai Madhes Rastriya Party. The party boasts over 2,000 new members. The newcomers were welcomed with garlands amid a function. The party claims that influential faces even from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) have joined it.
“Irrespective of their stance regarding the election, all parties are feeling the tension as the election nears. Even the parties which are still bargaining with the government are making internal preparations,” said political analyst Mishra. “All the parties are trying to lure strong candidates to their fold,” he added.
Mishra further said that some individuals and party cadres are overly opportunistic. “The election has excited one and all in one way or the other.”
Amidst all this, UDMF has not stopped preparing a ‘struggle committee’ as well ‘to obstruct the election if the constitution is not amended’. It has announced protests starting April 24. “We are focused on strengthening the party for possible struggles or obstruction activities,” said Satya Narayan Yadav, a central member.
