Sanghiya Samajswadi Forum Nepal (SSFN) Chairman Upendra Yadav, who was regarded as an architect in Madhes for waging campaigns for rights of Madhes and Madhesis ten years ago, has faced backlash in the southern belt on Sunday.

The incident follows obstruction and protest against Yadav in Madhubangoth of Sarlahi district where Yadav had arrived to participate in an assembly. He was dubbed ‘anti Madhesi’ by the protesters. Roads leading to programme venue were obstructed at multiple places to foil Yadav’s programme.

Rastriya Janta Party-Nepal (RJP-N), another Madhes-centric party formed recently after unification of six Madhes-based parties, attempted to obstruct Yadav’s programme saying that SSFN decided to join the second phase of local level elections slated for June 28, without the Madhesi demands, including constitution amendment, being addressed first.

The first phase local polls were held in 38 districts of three provinces on May 14.

RJP-Nepal had begun its protest since morning. Slogans and demonstration against Yadav could be seen in numerous villages of Sarlahi, including district headquarters Malangwa.

When Yadav reached the programme venue at 4pm Friday, he was greeted with black flags by RJP-Nepal cadres. The situation heated up and the protesters and police clashed.

However, no major damage occurred from the situation as security personnel were duly stationed in large numbers, anticipating possible confrontation between the two Madhesi forces.

SSFN programme soon began after police took control of the situation.

Yadav, who has been a crusader of Madhes rights, had to face today’s fate—the major reason being his participation in the upcoming local polls. Others opine that his cold relationship with other leaders from Madhes invited this situation.

Interestingly, Sarlahi is the district where chairmen of RJP-Nepal affiliated three major parties have their roots on. Sarlahi is the home district of TMLP Chair Mahanta Thakur, Sadbhawana Chair Rajendra Mahato and TMSP Chair Mahendra Raya. The three parties, along with another three, have now become RJP-Nepal.

In today’s protest, RJP-Nepal protested Yadav with all its might.

Meanwhile, RJP-Nepal today announced fresh anti-election programme including general strike. It has demanded the government should amend constitution before it decides to participate in the local polls.

It is to be noted that the second phase polls dates have already been postponed thrice.

The main threat to RJP-Nepal in Madhes, province 2 in particular, is Yadav’s SSFN.

Madhesi people view that Yadav joining the polls, without Madhesi voice being heard first, is against the Madhesi aspiration. The Madhes’ opinion has been divided regarding the party after SSFN decided to participate in the local polls.

Although Madhesi people are in support of conducting local polls, majority want the polls to be conducted with RJP-Nepal’s participation. Madhesi people believe that the local polls without RJP-Nepal would not yield sustainable stability and development in the southern plain.