A confused Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal has divided around 1,000 participants into 30 groups to discuss whether to participate in the upcoming phase of local level elections in Province 2 as the RJP-N’s central committee meeting kicked off in the Capital on Sunday. The groups will also discuss the party’s statute, manifesto and regulations.

At the first ever extensive meeting of the party, coordinator Mahantha Thakur invited central members to present their opinions on the party’s stance of not joining the election process without the constitution being amended.

According to General Secretary Keshav Jha, the top leaders were divided on joining the polls. 

“Both Rajendra Mahato and Anil Jha were one on not joining the election without amending the constitution even if the party’s other demands are met,” Jha said.

Leader Sharat Singh Bhandari, however, demanded that the party end the state of confusion over whether to get on board the polls or press ahead with a fresh round of agitation.

Some leaders expressed fears of a possible split if the party failed to embrace the upcoming election as part of its ongoing struggle for getting the Madhesi people greater rights.

RJP-N Co-chair Hridayesh Tripathi urged the top leaders to decide in favour of participating in the polls.

He blamed the leadership for the loss caused to the party by its boycott of the earlier rounds of elections.

He sought an amendment to the party statute in order to cement unity in the force formed after the merger of six Madhes-based parties in April.

Tripathi and Sarbendra Nath Shukla urged the leadership to ensure inclusiveness in the new party arguing that most of the leaders were from the eastern Tarai.

Leader Brikhesh Chandra Lal floated the alternative of deciding on elections after putting the constitution amendment proposal to a vote in Parliament.