The name and organizational structure of the unified party are yet to be decided.
What you should know
Two Madhesh pro-Madhesh parties, JSP Nepal and LOSPA, have agreed to merge on Sunday. The two parties have decided to merge, citing the recent political developments as putting federalism, inclusiveness and the proportional representation system at risk. However, the name and organizational structure of the unified party are yet to be decided.
Earlier, on 24 Mangsir, Hridayesh Tripathi's Pragatisheel Party and Brishesh Chandra Lal's Terai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party merged with LOSPA. After that, an agreement was reached with JSP Nepal. A group of leaders including Renu Yadav, Pradeep Yadav, Nawal Kishore Sah, who broke away from JSP led by Ashok Rai, have also participated in this unity. Upendra Yadav and Renu Yadav signed the unity agreement on Monday.
After the merger, the party will become the largest party in the Madhesh Provincial Assembly. Currently, JSP Nepal has 19 MPs in the 107-member Provincial Assembly and 9 MPs from LOSPA. JSP Nepal's provincial MP Saroj Kumar Singh and LOSPA's Abhiram Sharma are suspended. If these two parties merge, there will be 26 provincial MPs in Madhesh Province, excluding the suspended ones. UML, which was previously the largest party, has 25 MPs in Madhesh Province. Both these parties support Congress Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav in the Madhesh Province government.
JSP Nepal won 12 seats in the 2079 House of Representatives elections. LSP had 4 seats. This unity has also brought together two main leaders of Madhesh, JSP Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav and LSP Chairman Mahantha Thakur, who had been separated for a long time. ‘When all parties were polarizing, there was pressure on us to stand together,’ LSP leader Jitendra Sonal said, ‘It is pleasant and positive that parties that work for the rights and interests of classes and communities that are exploited and oppressed come together. Our unity will strengthen the defense of the federal democratic republican constitution.’
The Madhesh parties that had been breaking up and joining in the past have reunited after the Gen-G rebellion. JSP Nepal General Secretary Lalbabu Raut, who is active in unity, said that the unification and functional unity between new and old parties began after the Gen-G rebellion, and the pressure on JSP Nepal and LOSPA to stand together increased.
‘The old parties, Congress and UML, did not seem very liberal towards federalism. The old parties also hesitated in delegating powers,’ Raut said, ‘The new leaders Balen-Ravi do not want federalism and inclusiveness. They have only raised the issue of corruption and good governance. The mentality that nothing will happen if federalism is removed is visible in the new party. However, federalism has given the country diversity. If federalism is touched, there will be a problem.’
JSP Nepal General Secretary Raut said that informal talks are underway with other Madhesh-based parties. ‘Talks are taking place at their respective levels. Everyone has realized their mistake and started discussing,' he said, 'Informal discussions are being held with many parties, understanding that when the pro-Madhesh parties are together, the message will be better conveyed. Nothing will be achieved by sitting separately and blowing the trumpet. When we come together, we become stronger.'
The Janmat Party, which has emerged as a new force in Madhesh, is confused after the unification of JSP Nepal and LSP. Although it is in continuous dialogue with JSP Nepal, Janmat has not been able to reach a concrete decision due to the National Assembly elections. Janmat, which was divided when the government under its own leadership was toppled in Madhesh Province after the Gen-G movement, is trying to win a seat in Madhesh in the National Assembly elections together with UML.
Janmat spokesperson Chandan Singh said that unification is necessary among the parties that carry the cause of Madhesh. He said that efforts are being made for unification. ‘Our proposal is to move forward by forming a broad front,’ said Singh, ‘A new force has also emerged in Madhesh. It is pleasant to see unity among identity activists. ’
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