KATHMANDU, SEP 03 - In what may be an indication towards breaking the deadlock over the prime ministerial election, both factions of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) have hinted at extending their support to UCPN (Maoist) candidate for the prime minister’s post.

The five rounds of elections for the prime minister’s post ended inconclusively after none of the contenders—Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandara Poude—could garner a simple majority.

The sources close to the two Madhes-based parties—MJF led by Upendra Yadav and MJF-Loktantrik led by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar—said  the discussions are being held to vote in favour of Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the prime ministerial elections.

The two Madhesi parties are the major constituents of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM)—an alliance of the Madhes-based parties. Earlier, the SLMM had been staying neutral in the elections demanding a concrete reply to their demands including the declaration of entire Tarai region as a single province while delineating the federal structure.

MJF-L General Secretary Jitendra Dev said the discussion between Maoist Chairman Dahal and his party Chairman Gachhadar has been moving in the positive direction in recent times. He added that the possibility of his party’s support to the Maoists has surged.

“The UCPN has been giving positive indication to the concept paper to the Madhes-based parties,” said the MJF-L leader. “The SLMM could change its neutrality stand if the Maoists agreed on its demands.” He however said it would be better if both the prime ministerial contenders withdraw their candidacies for a consensus government.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (MJF) spokesperson Ratneshwor Lal Kayastha said his party Chairman Upendra Yadav has been holding hectic parleys with the intention to extend support to either of the candidates for the prime minister’s post.

“The sixth round of election slated for Sept 5 is likely give a new prime minister to the country,” he added.

SLMM divided

Meanwhile, the leaders of other two constituents of the SLMM—Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Sadbhavan Party said that they have not changed their stand to stay neutral.

Sadbhavan Co-Chairman and Minister without portfolio Laxman Lal Karna claimed that the SLMM will remain neutral in the sixth round of elections as well as the Maoist and NC has not given their concrete reply in the concept paper of SLMM.

Likewise, TMLP leader Jeetendra Sonal said the SLMM decision remains as it is. He added that the Madhesi front will not vote any one “just to hang another picture in the wall of Singha Durbar”.

Posted on: 2010-09-03 06:44

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