Immediately after the agreement to unify the parties was reached between JSP Nepal and LOSPA on Sunday night, central members led by Janata Samajwadi Party co-chair Renu Yadav entered JSP Nepal on Monday afternoon.

 In the changing political environment after the Gen-G rebellion, why did the Madhesh parties start joining the unity campaign ? Has an attempt to polarize the parties doing politics by making Madhesh the center? Edited excerpt of a conversation between Kantipur's Janakpur correspondent Ajit Tiwari with former Chief Minister of Madhesh Province and General Secretary of JSP Nepal Lalbabu Raut on this topic: 

Why did JSP Nepal and LOSPA have to merge on the eve of the elections ?
After the Gen-G movement, integration and functional unity have started between the old and new parties . There was a belief that both parties, JSP Nepal and LOSPA, should stand together . According to that belief, intensive discussions were being held between the two parties . The old parties, Congress and UML, did not seem very liberal towards federalism . The old parties also hesitated in delegating powers . The new party, Wallen-Ravi, does not need federalism and inclusiveness. The new party, which only raises the issue of corruption and good governance, considers all past political achievements as normal. The new party seems to have the mentality that if federalism is removed, nothing will happen. But federalism has given the country diversity. If federalism is touched, there will be a problem.

In the past, when there was talk of emerging as an alternative political force after unity, it split again towards the end of 2078. What is the reason for coming together again now?
We are standing together to save federalism, republic, democracy, inclusiveness and proportional achievements. If both parties, JSP Nepal and LOSPA, had not stood together, the anti-federalist forces would have been unleashed. We have to stand together against that too. The new party's agenda is not federalism. We should have come together to save federalism. The process of disintegration and consolidation is a disease of all parties. No party is immune to it. The Congress and the UML have also split. There is a history of Madhesh-based parties splitting when they do not accept their existence and during power sharing. There is no guarantee that they will break up again. There is no alternative to parties that agree on the Madhesh issue coming together.

Was there a discussion about introspection of past mistakes and not allowing such mistakes to be repeated before the unification process?
A review of all issues has been conducted. We must learn from past mistakes and move forward. We must stand together for federalism, inclusiveness and democracy-republic.

Is there a possibility that other Madhesh parties will also join the unification of JSP Nepal and LSP?
Informal talks are being held with many parties. Discussions are being held at their respective levels. Everyone has realized their mistake and started talking. When the Madhesh parties are together, the message also goes well. Sitting separately does not work, coming together makes them stronger. The parties are in contact informally.

Did the elections bring about the situation where the Madhesh parties should come together like in the past, or was it the new parties that emerged after the Gen-G rebellion?
The elections and the Gen-G movement are also a reason to bring us together. If we were not together, our very existence would be in danger.