The Madhes-centric parties have come under increasing pressure from their rank and file as voices of discontent over the selection of PR candidates are getting louder.

Leaders have not only questioned the selection process, but have even approached the Election Commission calling on the constitutional body not recognise the names submitted by Madhes parties.

On Wednesday, office bearers of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik lodged a complaint with the EC demanding that the names submitted by the party under PR be rectified. Among the 10 final nominees include Dr Subodh Pokharel, Kalpana Gachhadar, Ramani Ram, Asha Chaturvedi, Yogendra Chaudary, Dinbandhu Agrawal and Pawan Sarda and educationist duo Geeta Rana and Baburam Pokharel.

Explaining the reason for approaching the EC, Senior Vice-chairman of MJF-L Rameshwor Raya Yadav said the party’s PR nominees will not be able to play a crucial role in the new Constituent Assembly to institutionalise the agendas of Madhes. “Our party emerged from the Madhes movement. Therefore, those outside the party circle will not understand the spirit. Party cadres need to be prioritised,” said Yadav

He, however, clarified that they could withdraw the complaint if MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Gachhadar rectifies the list. Other party office bearers who filed the complaint include Vice-chairmen Nasir Siddiqui, Dan Bahadur Chaudary and Govinda Chaudary. General Secretary Jitendra Dev and Secretaries Rabindra Thalur and Chandreshwor Khtawe were other office bearers who filed the complaint. 

The move of the office bearers follows a day after four party leaders submitted their resignation to Gachhadar over the selection of PR candidates. 

They include Ramjanam Chaudary—considered close to Gachhadar—Mangal Tharu, Man Bahadur Mahato Tharu and Sarif Miya.

Similarly, leaders in the Sarat Singh Bhandari-led Rastriya Madhes Samjbadi Party have also objected to the list of PR candidates that the party finalised. 

The party has recommended Nirjala Raut—close associate of Bhandari who also managed his election campaign—Dharmendra Shah and Dinesh Shah. Leaders have not only voiced concerned, but have registered a no-confidence motion against Bhandari in the party. 

“Saratji formed the new party after splitting from the Gachhadar-led MJF-L stating that he would uphold the diversity of Madhes. But then why is he reneging on the commitment by nominating two individuals of the same community,” said spokesperson Izhar Mikrani.

Reservation has also been expressed by leaders within the MJF-Nepal headed by Upendra Yadav. Senior leaders of the party, Ramsahaya Yadav and Mohammad Lalbabu, reportedly walked out of the Parliamentary Party meeting. 

Asked to comment on the matter, Lalbabu remained tight-lipped. “I have nothing to comment on,” said Lalbabu over the telephone from Birgung. But party leaders close to Chairman Yadav claimed that the two walked out after the former asked them to leave the meeting hall as the party has decided not to allow potential PR candidate to be part of the selection process. The leader claimed that the party will submit its PR list on Thursday. 

Discontent voices have also been heard in the fringe Madhesi parties. Senior leaders in the Rajkishore Yadav-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Ganatantrik have aired concern over the nomination of the chairman’s spouse, Sarita Yadav, for the lone PR seat secured by the party. “We were not consulted while nominating party candidate,” said party senior leader Raj Lal Yadav.

Analysts attribute the contention over PR selection to the insecurity on the party of Madhesi leadership, who, they claim fears loosing grip over the party if a potential competitor gets the seat. “Therefore, they are looking for those who cannot challenge them. But in the process have neglected the spirit of PR-to ensure representation of the marginalised,” said analyst Chandrakishore.

Ashok Rai party submits

The Federal Socialist Party Nepal on Wednesday submitted its final list of PR candidates to the Election Commission.

The FSPN’s final list of lawmakers include party Chairman Ashok Kumar Rai, Vice-chairman DB Nepali, Radha Timilsena, Urmila Sah and Kashiki Siddhique. 

The party had missed the Monday deadline to submit the PR list following differences over the names of lawmakers in the Central Committee, Standing Committee and high-level panel tasked to select names.

Leaders claim the names were unilaterally okayed by the party leadership late Tuesday after the nominations submitted by the six-member PR candidate selection panel headed by Rakam Chemjong submitted a different name list. The leadership, especially Rai, was under tremendous pressure to stay out of the CA to give space for new faces.

The party, which failed to win a single seat under the first-past-the-post voting, has secured only five PR seats in the CA election.