In the first week of January, senior Loktantrik Samajbadi Party leader Rajendra Mahato and Buddi Chhiring Moktan came up with a 57-page document titled “Rastriya Mukti Kranti” (Revolution for National Liberation) calling for establishment of ‘indigenism, pluri-nationalism and communitarian socialism’ in the country.

The writer duo also came up with another document titled “Aba ke Garne” (What next?) in a bid to launch a new movement, particularly in Tarai-Madhes, by bringing together various clusters and oppressed communities.

Amid this development, Mahato, 68, visited New Delhi and held talks with some interlocutors and officials and briefed them about their plans, two party leaders privy to the development told the Post.

After being prevented from leading the party on several occasions, Mahato is unhappy with party chair Mahantha Thakur and is reportedly planning an internal revolt.

A source close to the party said Mahato is likely to quit the party ‘very soon’ due to his long-standing misunderstandings and disputes with Thakur.

After Thakur conspicuously sidelined Mahato and old leaders and cadres, mainly those associated with the former Sadhbawana Party, Mahato has made up his mind to quit and is preparing to announce a new ideological movement in Tarai-Madhes.

The two documents basically explain the historical demise of sub-nationalism in Nepal and stress the need for a new campaign and movement for the emancipation of people belonging to different castes, clusters and classes.

Mahato was associated with the Nepal Sadhbhawana Party that carried the long legacy of Gajendra Narayan Singh, a widely respected leader known for advocating the rights of people living in the southern plains.

In contrast, Thakur came from Nepali Congress background, but parted ways in 2007 protesting against the promulgation of the Interim Constitution and launched his own Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party.

Then the two leaders came together and launched another party with Upendra Yadav, but the partnership was short-lived. Subsequently they formed the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party in August 2021. Despite his long-standing differences with Thakur, Mahato has not announced his separation from the party, but has long been inactive, according to party leaders.

Surendra Jha, a leader close to Thakur, said Mahato has been inactive in the party for a long time and his quitting will make no difference. “He was expecting the post of party vice chair, but there is no need for that as Chairman Thakur himself has been actively engaged in party affairs.”

“Moreover, nobody accepted Mahato as leader in the party.”

Thakur basically wants to hand over leadership to the next generation and any leadership change should happen only during the party’s general convention, said Jha.

Meanwhile, a leader close to Mahato told the Post that Mahato will conduct a campaign for a few months before launching his new party.

“First, Mahato was cornered inside the party so he could not work effectively. Second, there was no leadership transfer in the party. Third, long-time leaders felt excluded, so Mahato found the post of senior leader he was given meaningless,” said the leader, defending Mahato’s upcoming plans.

Despite the Post’s multiple attempts, Mahato did not answer the phone.

But Keshav Jha, another leader close to Mahato, confirmed that Mahato is all set to launch a campaign ‘with new value, idea, principle and ideology’.

“First we will explain why we need another ideological uprising in Tarai-Madhes, and then the ground will be automatically prepared,” he said.

But Madhesh observers say the road ahead won’t be easy for Mahato even though public frustration against both mainstream and Madhesh-based parties has reached a tipping point.

“In fact, no political party currently in existence is truly focussed on Madhesh, they are rather dependent on Madhesh,” said Chandra Kishor, a long time columnist for Kantipur who has been closely observing Madhesi politics

“Madhesi people are desperately looking for a political party that prioritises and advocates for Madhesh. Although leaders like Upendra Yadav, CK Raut, and Resham Chaudhary have formed their political parties, the Madheshi people are not satisfied with them due to their power-hungry nature, as they are seen compromising on their principles for personal gains.”

“It is also true that the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party has become bed-ridden. The mood and ground in Madhes are changing and churning. So are the aspirations of the youths, but no one is addressing their grievances. There is a void and we don’t know who will go to fill that,” said Chandra Kishor, adding that new forces like Raut’s also could not make much difference in Madhesh politics.

A Madheshi leader from the rival Janata Samajbadi Party concurs.

“Mahato is a tried, tested and failed leader. The aspiration, void and vacuum that is widespread in Madhes is unlikely to be filled by old faces like Mahato, but he is free to try his luck,” he said.

People are looking for jobs, good roads, hospitals, schools, and better service delivery and are least bothered about things like sub-nationalism and idealism, the leader said, wishing to stay anonymous. “Gone are the days of politics based on class, cluster and caste.”