Saturday, September 15, 2007

Congratulations To Rajendra Mahto


Rajendra Mahto: Three Hours Of Video
Rajendra Mahto In Town
Rajendra Mahto Live: Registering Dissent On Interim Constitution, January 15
Email To All Madhesis From Rajendra Mahto
Rajendra Mahto: नागरिकता विधेयक खोतल्दा
Nepal's Terai People In Deplorable Conditions: Mahto
To: Koirala, Nepal, KC, Pokharel, Tripathy, Mahto And The Rest
Phone Interview With Rajendra Mahato

Photos
Videos

Anil Jha, Nepal Sadbhavana Party 1
Anil Jha, Nepal Sadbhavana Party 2
Anil Jha, Nepal Sadbhavana Party 3
Madhesi Gathering In Prospect Park 1
Madhesi Gathering In Prospect Park 2
Ridgewood Dashain Party

I would like to publicly congratulate Rajendra Mahto, my friend of over a decade, for having been unanimously elected president of the Sadbhavana party. His election was the icing on the cake. The party's convention has also come up with some other major positive developments.

The party president's powers have been reduced, and that is a good thing. The party should get into the habit of holding extensive internal discussions before taking major discussions. The process of reaching decisions is almost as important as the decisions reached.

The party is going to go out of its way to make sure its central committee is inclusive of the Dalits and the Janajatis and women and youth. That is very good thing. The Dalits are in the Terai what the Madhesis are in Nepal. The Madhesi leadership must go out of its way to uplift the Dalits in the Terai. That the Dalits in the Pahad do not fare any better is no excuse. Similarly, the party must show that it is inclusive of Tharus. The party's central committee, I hope, is at least one third women.

Rajendra Mahto now has the powers to try to punish the Sadbhavana leaders who recently tried to snatch away his cabinet position. He could sideline them inside the party. But he should not give into that temptation. Those dissidents might still stay away, but on his part, the Sadbhavana's new party president must go out of his way to try and bring as many of those dissidents into the fold as possible. He should work extra hard to get people like Hridayesh Tripathy, Bharat Bimal Yadav and others to come into the party's new central committee. If he can not take that first step, it will become harder for him to forge a grand Madhesi Alliance with the MJF, Jwala, Goit and others. Now is the time to bring together all Madhesi leaders, inside the party and outside, under the slogan of Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh.

Hridayesh Tripathy had been using Anandi Devi like a pawn. That was wrong. Either Tripathy should himself contest to be party president, or he should be more respectful of those who do take up officer positions in the party.

The Sadbhavana has come up with a viable map for federalism: three states that get further divided into regions. So all of Terai would be one state, and there might be three or four regions inside that state. That model can work. This is better than the newest Maoist map that physically breaks the Terai into two by giving Chitwan over to some hill state. That can't be done. All of Terai has to be one state, it has to be one continuous geographic unit.

So I guess you end up with a Terai state, and inside that state you will have a Mithila, a Bhojpur, an Awadh, and a Tharuwan. I can live with that.

What really caught my attention though - since Mahto's election to the party president's post was a foregone conclusion even before the convention started - was that the party has said the Prime Minister of the country must be directly elected. That is a huge move. And this makes the Sadbhavana to be the first big party in the country to go for this. I congratulate Sarita Giri, the author of the party's manifesto, for making this major jump.

You would hold direct elections. And if no one candidate gets at least 50% of the votes cast, within a month, you hold a second round between the two top candidates.

To my mind this provision for a directly elected Prime Minister is the best thing to have come out of this recent convention of the Sadbhavana party. This would make for a better arrangement than what India, Britain and America have.

During the 1994-1996 period, there used to the Nepal Samajwadi Janata Dal. It had two MPs: Rameshwar Raya Yadav, and Hridayesh Tripathy. Sarita Giri and I were Vice General Secretaries to that party. Rajendra Mahto was a central committee member.

Rajendra Mahto's number one task right now is to show magnanimity and work hard to bring all the disgruntled leaders back into the fold. I think he should go ahead and show up at the homes of those leaders, people like Hridayesh, Bharat Bimal, and Rameshwar Raya Yadav. All of them should be urged to join the party's central committee. Heck, even Anandi Devi would look great in the party's central committee.

It also feels good to see Anil Jha playing such an active part in the Sadbhavana's leadership. Our friendship has been forged during our meetings during his two trips to New York City.

I am extremely happy that Rajendra Mahto is now party president of the Sadbhavana.

Madhesi Movement: Delicate Turn
Federal National Democratic Forum: The Janajati Party
Time To Hit The Campaign Trail
Completely Proportional Election: Meeting Point With The Maoists
The Madhesi Cause Is On Fire: Put Out The Fire
To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF
Goal: Federal Republic Of State Funded Parties
MJF Is For Republic, Land Reform, Dalit, Muslim, Janajati, Mahila Rights, And Small Or No Army
The MJF Must Stay Intact
The MJF Dispute: Got To Seek Middle Ground
No To Terrorism: Terai Army Is A Criminal Outfit
उपेन्द्र यादव: सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता
The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party
तराई बन्द नहीं संगठन िवस्तार किरए
जयप्रकाश गुप्ता: मधेस आन्दोलनका आग्रह
Goal Has To Be To Stay As One Country





In The News

महतो ँअध्यक्ष’ हुने Kantipur राष्ट्रिय कार्यसमितिको निर्वाचित २० स्थानका लागि ५७ जनाको उम्मेदवारी परेको छ ...... महाधिवेशनमा ८० प्रतिशत सहभागिताको दाबी गरिए पनि संख्या ठ्याक्कै भन्न नेताहरूले चाहेनन् । 'पाँच सयभन्दा बढी सहभागी भएका छन्,' महतोले भने । बेलुकी एउटा समूहले माईस्थान चोकमा महाधिवेशन धोका हो भन्दै केहीबेर नाराबाजी गरेको थियो । ........ प्रवक्ता सरिता गिरीद्वारा प्रस्तुत घोषणापत्र पनि सर्वसम्मतिले पारित भएको छ । राजनीतिक स्थिरताका लागि प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचनमार्फत प्रधानमन्त्री चयन गर्ने घोषणापत्रमा उल्लेख छ । राजतन्त्रले मधेसीलगायतका समुदायविरुद्घ षड्यन्त्र गरेको भन्दै पार्टी लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रको पक्षधर रहेको उल्लेख छ । 'संघीय शासन व्यवस्थाअन्तर्गत मुलुकलाई हिमाल, पहाड र मधेस तीन स्वायत्त प्रदेशमा विभाजन गरिनेछ,' घोषणापत्रमा भनिएको छ- 'प्रदेशहरूलाई भाषा, संस्कृति र जातजातिका आधारमा विभिन्न प्रान्तमा विभाजन गरिनेछ ।' ....... राजेन्द्र महतोले संविधानसभा चुनावबाट सबैभन्दा बढी मधेसी समुदायले लाभ उठाउने भएकाले यसमा खुलेर लाग्नुपर्ने बताएका छन् । 'पहिलोपटक जनताले आफ्नो हातले संविधान लेख्ने अवसर पाउनेछन्,' वीरगन्जमा रिपोर्टर्स क्लबको साक्षात्कारमा उनले भने- 'यसको अहिले सदुपयोग गरेनौं भने यो अवसरका लागि शताब्दीयौं कुर्नुपर्नेछ ।' ....... सद्भावना पार्टी संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनमा सहभागी हुन मधेसमा सक्रिय सबै मधेसी दल, सशस्त्र संगठनहरू र संघसंस्थासँग मोर्चा बनाउन तयार रहेको बताए ।
दलितको अठोट दुई युवती एक युवक जिस्किँदै थिएएउटीले "रोशन कार्की सार्की" भनेर युवकलाई जिस्क्याइन

Mahato elected NSP-A chairman NepalNews The general convention of the dissident faction of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) underway in Birgunj has elected Rajendra Mahato as chairman of the party, unopposed. .... a five-member committee of NSP leaders is trying to choose 20 central committee members without voting. 37 candidacies were filed today for the 20 elected seats. ..... 21 other central members will be nominated by the party leadership.
Prachanda discusses 22-pt demand with Koirala, MK Nepal
Maoist roundtable conference Monday
Maoists cannot run away from election, says PM Koirala
FM says development budget would be curtailed if oil price not increased

Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A) elects Mahato as chairman NewKerala.com The special convention of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi), the biggest and oldest political party of the Terai region of Nepal, has unanimously elected Rajendra Mahato as the chairman of the party. ..... The session also passed the new party statute with a new provision of a chairperson, co-chairpersons, two vice-chairpersons and 41 central members ..... Mandal was ousted from the party and the two parties Nepal Sadbhavana and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi) united a few months ago.
Minister Mahato to lead NSP-A, Karna settles for co-chairman post Kantipur Online, Nepal the party vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna agreed not to fight for the party’s top post. ..... a no-confidence motion against party chairperson Anandi Devi Singh ..... The motion, which was lodged by 221 general convention representatives and tabled by party’s general secretary Anil Kumar Jha at the closed-door session held at the City Hall in Birgunj, was passed by clapping hands this afternoon. ..... The party has proposed that during the restructuring of the country, one national parliament and three autonomous regions with their own regional parliaments should be set up and the lawmakers in the national and regional parliaments should be elected through a mixed-electoral system. ...... The party has also proposed that the Prime Minister should be elected through the first-past-the-post system. ..... party’s Election Officer Mumtaj Ahmad informed that altogether 625 representative of the party should have been present in the convention. ...... Mahato claimed that 80 to 85 percent of the party leaders and cadres have participated in the three-day convention .... Senior party Vice-Chairman Laxman Lal Karna told a local FM station Thursday night that he also plans to apply for the party’s top post. ..... In the closed-door session, the party leaders and cadres have strongly raised demands such as annulment of unlimited powers given to the party chairperson, party unity, party policy and election manifesto in local Hindi language.

Senior politicians, civil society leaders discuss political crisis Kantipur UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress General Secretary and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Maoist second-in-command Dr Baburam Bhattarai, leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party-Anandi Devi Hridayesh Tripathi and other leaders of the eight parties and prominent civil society activists are involved in the discussion.
Maoists struggle to reschedule roundtable finding it increasingly difficult to hold their proposed roundtable conference ..... Although a Maoist source said Narahari Acharya of Nepali Congress and Pradip Giri of NC (Democratic) have expressed their commitment to participation, Acharya told the Post he has not received any invitation. "I have no knowledge of such a conference," he said. ..... the party will again hold discussions with the leadership of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) and other ethnic groups for their participation. NEFIN and the Federal Democratic National Forum have already declined to attend the Maoist 'roundtable'.
JTMM-G cadres torch Matrika Yadav’s jeep Five days ago, Yadav’s bodyguard Bibek, had runaway in the vehicle along with one AK-47 rifle, and Rs 500, 000. He was also the driver of the jeep (Ja 1 Pa 503). .... A former JTMM cadre, Bibek had joined the Maoist party a year ago. .... Bivek is said to have rejoined JTMM. ... The JTMM-G, which waging an armed agitation for a separate Terai state, is a renegade faction of the CPN-Maoist.
CA polls must to ensure rights of Madhes: Minister Mahato Rajendra Mahato Saturday underscored the need of active participation in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections to ensure the rights of Madhesi people. ..... time had come for the two-decade-old dream of the party to be materialized. ..... "Now no one can stop the gun-powder of Madhes from being exploded," said Minister Mahato. ..... the party would unite all Madhesi and pro-Madhesis for the decisive fight ..... the election of the 20-member central working committee of the party couldn't take place after all the candidates who had registered their names for the post withdrew their names unanimously ....... stating that the current circumstances within the party was not suitable for such elections. ...... Laxmanlal Karna, Narsingh Chaudhari, Paramanand Yadav, Bishnu Narayan Chaudhari and Ram Naresh Yadav would nominate new members within few days, said senior NSP-A leader Anil Jha. ..... The nomination would be as inclusive as possible by appointing Dalit, women, youth and indigenous people's representative ...... Altogether 57 persons had registered their names for the central working committee earlier. ...... The Mahato-led faction had unanimously passed no-confidence move against the party chairman Singh on Friday. The NSP-A leader Mahato has a strong hold in the party.


Friday, September 14, 2007

Madhesi Movement: Delicate Turn


My first choice would be for the Maoists and the seven parties to reach a compromise position such that the Maoists agree to wait until after the election to declare the country a republic, and the seven parties agree to hold completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly.

Completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly is still the first and still possible option for the Madhesi Movement. But the best can not be made the enemy of the good, and the Madhesi Movement must gear up to contest the November election even under the current mixed arrangement.

My first choice would be that the eight party government in Kathmandu engages Jwala and Goit in respectful dialogue. I don't see that materialzing. So my second choice option is for there to be a Madhesi Alliance of the Madhesi parties like the Sadbhavana and the MJF, and for that Alliance to reach out to Jwala and Goit. The Sadbhavana's call for a ceasefire on the part of Jwala and Goit is a welcome move, but it is incomplete.

The Madhesi Alliance will have to reach out to Jwala, Goit and all the other armed Madhesi groups and publicly denounce the government for not engaging them in respectful dialogue. The Alliance should seek a unilateral ceasefire from the armed groups and also moral support for the Madhesi Alliance and its Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh slogan. In return the Madhesi Alliance should promise Jwala and Goit that the Madhesi Alliance will go into power after the November election and it will hold respectful dialogue with them. Respectful dialogue means all their cadres will be released, all court cases against them will be taken back, all their soldiers will be put into cantonments, to be potentially integrated into the Nepal Army.

The Madhesi Alliance should make public a stance on the Nepal Army, that it wants at least one third of the Nepal Army to be Madhesi in composition.

Rajendra Mahto

The Sadbhavana just had its convention. Not everyone attended, but the convention did have its quorum. More than 80% attended. That puts Mahto in a very strong position. He will be tempted to rub Tripathy's nose in the dust. He should restrain himself and keep open the option to make peace.

Making peace would mean leaving open the option to invite some of the dissidents into the party's central committee, and keeping open the option to issue them tickets for the impending election.

Such moves would naturally have to be preceded by mediation and peace talks.

Madhesi leaders who ask for major sacrifices from the Madhesi masses should be able to show to that same mass that they are capable of getting along with each other, that they are capable of settling minor disputes among themselves.

The leader who is in a strong position must help the leader in weak position to save face.

Upendra Yadav

Like Mahto is strong inside the Sadbhavana, Yadav is strong inside the MJF. Yadav must make room to make peace with his dissidents as well. Bishwas must be brought back into the fold.

The Sadbhavana was not at the forefront of the Madhesi Kranti, the MJF was. But then that is why the MJF is larger than the Sadbhavana right now. The MJF must exhibit magnanimity and be open to the idea of forging a Madhesi Alliance with the Sadbhavana. The agenda would be simple.
  1. Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh.
  2. Respectful peace talks with Jwala, Goit and the others.
The Madhesi Alliance would mean both parties would still compete with each other for the 240 seats for the proportional part of the election. But they would make seat adjustments for the seats to be elected directly. It could be a 100% adjustment. Or it could be partial. A 100% seat adjustment would mean if a constituency has a MJF candidate, it, by rule, does not have a Sadbhavana candidate, and vice versa. If they manage a 100% adjustment, they could go for a 50-50 formula, or they could split it 40-60 in the MJF's favor, or something in the vicinity.

The MJF and the Sadbhavana must think ahead. They must make some strategic moves. Because the November Election is going to be bigger than the Madhesi Kranti and the April Revolution put together.

A Madhesi Wave must be created. All Madhesi leaders of all Madhesi parties must look united to the Madhesi masses. That is how you create a Madhesi Wave.

Simple Majority Will Form Government, Two Third Majority Will Write Constitution

The unified Congress will be one block inside the assembly. The RPP and the RJP might be part of it. The left parties will be another block. The Madhesi Alliance must emerge as the third, indispensable block. The reality inside the assembly should be that neither the Congress nor the communists can either form the next government or write the next constitution without the support of the Madhesi Alliance.

Jwala, Goit Must Think Hard

This is the time to act wisely. Both might and have been tempted to go solo. They have already made public their intentions to disrupt the polls. They must ask themselves if that is the best move they can make for the Madhesi Movement.

I disagree with them. The best move would be to form a Madhesi Alliance of all Madhesi paties and create a Madhesi sweep during the November Election and form the next government and write a new constitution that creates a Madhesh state. Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh.

Reaching Out Is Not Easy

For Rajendra Mahto to reach out to Hridayesh Tripathy, for Upendra Yadav to reach to Kishor Kumar Bishwas, for Upendra Yadav to reach out to Rajendra Mahto, for Yadav, Mahto, Tripathy and Bishwas to reach out to Jwala and Goit, for Jwala and Goit to rein in their central leaders: all that is not going to be easy. But then that is what leadership is all about. You do the hard thing. You reach out.

Madhesi Alliance: No More Terai Band

That should be the new slogan: No More Terai Band. Terai Band hurts the Madhesis. It is time to take the Madhesi Movement off the streets and onto the campaign trail. It is time to take the Madhesi Movement to the election booth.

Goal: Create A Madhesi Wave

The slogan of Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh, and the organizational reality of a Madhesi Alliance will create such a wave.

Madhesi MPs

The Madhesi MPs in the big parties toyed with the idea of launching a regional party. Now looks like that is not happening. Both the Sadbhavana and the MJF must make some room for some of them defecting the big parties and wanting to join these two parties to contest the elections.

Federal National Democratic Forum: The Janajati Party
Time To Hit The Campaign Trail
Completely Proportional Election: Meeting Point With The Maoists
The Madhesi Cause Is On Fire: Put Out The Fire
To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF
Goal: Federal Republic Of State Funded Parties
MJF Is For Republic, Land Reform, Dalit, Muslim, Janajati, Mahila Rights, And Small Or No Army
The MJF Must Stay Intact
The MJF Dispute: Got To Seek Middle Ground
No To Terrorism: Terai Army Is A Criminal Outfit
उपेन्द्र यादव: सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता
The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party
तराई बन्द नहीं संगठन िवस्तार किरए
जयप्रकाश गुप्ता: मधेस आन्दोलनका आग्रह

In The News

Prachanda says efforts are on for eight-party consensus NepalNews
PLA's movement is serious violation of agreement, says UNMIN
Anandidevi relieved of her position by Mahato-led NSP 221 representatives of convention passed the motion unanimously. ..... The closed-door session of the convention also passed the new statute of the party that decreased the size of central committee from 63 to 41. Twenty of the central committee members will be elected directly through the convention while others will be nominated. ....... The party has proposed three regional and one national parliament in the new federal Nepal with three autonomous states – Mountains, Hills and Terai. .... Mahato is expected to become new chief of the organisation.
RPP puts off convention again
JTMM-Jwala also vows to disrupt CA election JTMM-Jwala announced various programmes, which include shutdown strikes, to make sure CA elections do not take place in Terai on the scheduled date. ..... Saying that the CA election was just a sham to deceive the Madheshi people, JTMM-Jwala has said that it won’t let it take place under any circumstances by waging an intense struggle. The armed groups has also warned that it would take “physical action” against those taking part in the election campaigning in Terai. ....... The announcement has also come a day after Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi) said it is going to build a joint front of Madheshi parties keeping in mind the upcoming CA election -- so as to form a separate Madheshi government-- and called upon both factions of the JTMM to declare ceasefire till the elections and opt for come for talks.
Close session starts in NSP special convention The party leaders are expected to submit organisational reports at the session to forge future strategies for the party. ..... Earlier, on Thursday, the convention kicked off amidst intense dispute between rival faction. ..... Security has been beefed up in and around the convention venue amidst fears of violent clashes between the rival factions. ..... chairperson of 11 of the 12 sister units of the party had also participated in the inaugural ceremony. ...... Addressing the inaugural programme party vice chairman and Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahato claimed that Madhesi parties would soon go on to build a joint front keeping in view the constituent assembly election to form a separate Madhes government. He said the party is also in talks with armed terai groups like Jai Krishna Goit and Jwala Singh led factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) for the aforementioned front. ...... "We call upon the armed groups for dialogue," Minister Mahato said, "If they don't want to come to talks then we request them to call a unilateral cease-fire until the constituent assembly election are held." ..... Mahato said that only if the armed groups call a ceasefire they would be able to empower the Madhesi people in a peaceful manner. ..... Mahato was also of the opinion that since they had agreed to hold the special general convention of the party within three months when they agreed for party unity "holding the special general convention was necessary." .... NSP's senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna said that the new constitution would be drafted in favour of the Madhesi people only if the Madhesi candidates are victorious in Madhes.

PLA combatants come out of cantonments to demonstrate NepalNews
Parties are in election mood, we are in agitation mood, says Badal Clarifying that the proposed roundtable conference had not been cancelled, he said that they would hold it before September 18. "There was some lack of homework on our part. And there were some more organisations who had shown interest to take part in the roundtable. That is why we put it off," he said.
Yadav hits back at Maoist attempt to sow divide in MJF Reacting to the Maoist invitation to the dissident faction of his party to attend their roundtable conference, Upendra Yadav, president of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), has accused the Maoists of trying to sow divide in MJF. Talking to his party cadres in Inaruwa on Thursday, Yadav said that the Maoist move had made it difficult for MJF to have any kind of cooperation with them. Alleging the dissident faction led by Kishore Bishwas of smearing the image of MJF, Yadav said the Maoists' roundtable conference was a meaningless exercise. Yadav said monarchy and Maoists were the two biggest enemies of MJF. He called for his cadres to actively participate in the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.
Government signs 9-point pact with Chure Bhawar
Maoists' roundtable meet suspended
Mahato faction proceeds with general convention
Announcing republic before polls not a legitimate choice: Bijukchhe

Maoists' roundtable meet suspended NepalNews suspended because their internal preparations are incomplete. They have said the roundtable will be held soon. .... Dr. Baburam Bhattarai had said that the roundtable would end the current political impasse in the country. ..... Their sudden decision to suspend the roundtable meeting has come in the wake of protests by other parties who have urged Maoists not to explore resolutions of their issues outside of the eight party alliance.
Mahato faction proceeds with party convention Only chairperson Anandidevi and general secretary Shyamsundar Gupta of the 13-member Central Work Performance Committee (CWPC) of the party are not participating in the general convention. Likewise, a majority – altogether 35 - of the 49-member National Working Committee of the party are taking part in the convention. They include senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna, vice-chairmen Mahato and Narsingh Chaudhari, general secretary Anil Kumar Jha and spokesperson Sarita Giri. ..... "a few NSP members" including Hridayesh Tripathy were against holding the special convention because it wasn't favorable time for them.
Emulating a Singaporean Model: Overhauling leadership first
Jwala's men kill one in Janakpur Stepping up their armed activities, Jwala Singh-led faction of JTMM has resorted to a killing spree in Terai. A day after their cadres mercilessly hacked to death a school principal in Siraha district, they shot to death one employee of local brick kiln in Dhanusha district. Kedar Prasad Giri, 35, an accountant at the brick kiln in Baghchauda has been shot to death. A central member of JTMM-J Rajan Mukti has claimed responsibility for his murder.
Jwala's men murder schoolteacher in Siraha a group led by JTMM-J platoon commander Raju Singh abducted Arun Kumar Shrestha, the headmaster of Bishnupurkatti High School, out of his house in Bishnupurkatti; brought him to a sugarcane field some one kilometre away from his house and stabbed him to death. ..... The JTMM-J cadres also clashed with the local people who tried to stop them from abducting Shrestha. ..... The group has said Shrestha was killed for involving in the publicity campaign for constituent assembly elections and refusing to pay ‘tax’ to its ‘district government’. ...... JTMM-J Siraha district in-charge Tufan Singh Bidhrohi telephoned local media persons and claimed responsibility for the killing. ....... Of late, the two factions of JTMM have intensified targeted killings, abductions and forceful seizure of lands of the leaders of mainstream political parties and local landlords in Terai districts.

महतो पक्ष्ा दह्रो Kantipur वीरगन्ज, भदौ २६ - सद्भावना -आनन्दीदेवी) को महाधिवेशन प्रचारका लागि सहरभरि टाँसिएका पोस्टरमा पार्टी संस्थापक गजेन्द्रनारायण सिंहसँगै उनकै श्रीमती आनन्दीदेवीको तस्बिर छ । तर बिहीबारदेखि सुरु हुने महाधिवेशनले अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहलाई हटाउने सम्भावना बढ्दै गएको छ । महाधिवेशन नगर्ने अध्यक्ष पक्षभन्दा गर्ने उपाध्यक्ष राजेन्द्र महतो पक्ष बलियो देखिएको छ राष्ट्रिय कार्यसम्पादन समितिका १३ मध्ये अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी र महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताबाहेक ११ जना महाधिवेशनमा उपस्थित छन् । यस्तै ४९ सदस्यीय राष्ट्रिय कार्यसमिति सदस्यमध्ये वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष लक्ष्मणलाल कर्ण, उपाध्यक्षहरू महतो र नरसिंह चौधरी, महामन्त्री अनिलकुमार झा, प्रवक्ता सरिता गिरीलगायत ३५ सदस्य आएका छन् । महाधिवेशन प्रतिनिधिहरू आउने क्रम जारी छ । अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवीविरुद्घ यसअघि नै अविश्वास प्रस्ताव दर्ता भइसकेको छ । पार्टी विधानअनुसार महाधिवेशन प्रतिनिधिको साधारण बहुमतले अध्यक्षलाई हटाउन सक्नेछ, जुन लगभग निश्चित छ । अध्यक्ष पक्षधर महामन्त्री गुप्ताले महाधिवेशन बिथोल्ने धम्की दिए पनि पार्टीको स्थानीय तह महाधिवेशनका लागि दिलोज्यान लगाएर भिडेकाले गाह्रो पर्नेछ । महतोले दुई-चार जनाले चाहँंदैमा पार्टीको विशेष महाधिवेशन नरोकिने बताएका छन् । रिपोर्टस् क्लब वीरगन्जको कार्यक्रममा उनले आफू अनुकूल नहुने सम्भावना देखेर केही नेताहरू म्ाहाधिवेशनको विरोधमा लागेको बताए । अध्यक्षद्वारा विस्तारित बैठक आह्वान काठमाडौं- सद्भावना पार्टी -आनन्दीदेवी) की राष्ट्रिय अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहले सोमबार राष्ट्रिय कार्यसमितिको विस्तारित बैठक बोलाएकी छन् । बानेश्वरस्थित पार्टी केन्द्रीय कार्यालयमा बोलाइएको उक्त बैठकमा महाधिवेशन तयारी समिति र आगामी महाधिवेशनको तिथि घोषणा हुने महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले बुधबार बताए । यसैबीच सद्भावनाको काठमाडौं उपत्यका समितिका अध्यक्ष मुरलीप्रसाद सिंह, उपाध्यक्ष निरन्जन पौडेल र ललितपुर जिल्ला कार्यसमितिका अध्यक्ष रामप्रसाद भट्टले बुधबार संयुक्त विज्ञप्ति जारी गरी बिहीबारदेखि वीरगन्जमा हुने भनिएको महाधिवेशन विधान र पार्टी कार्यकर्ताको भावनाविपरीत भएको दाबी गरेका छन् । उता सप्तरीका ५५ जना महाधिवेशन प्रतिनिधिले दुवै पक्ष एकजुट नभएसम्म महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिने विज्ञप्तिमार्फत जानकारी गराएका छन् ।
माओवादीले 'तत्काल' सरकार छाड्ने नेकपा -एकीकृत), मालेमा, संयुक्त माक्र्सवादी, कणर्ाली गणतान्त्रिक मोर्चा, नयाँ जनवादी लिग, मुस्लिम गणतान्त्रिक मोर्चा ...... आठ दलसँग सम्बन्ध नरहने र नयाँ शक्तिबीच ध्रुवीकरण हुने ..... 'माओवादीले राखेका २२ बुँदा मागमध्ये चुनावअघि गणतन्त्र घोषणा र पूर्ण समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणालीबाहेक सबै पूरा गर्न सात दल सहमत छन्,' वैद्यलाई उद्धृत गर्दै अर्का सहभागीले भने- 'मुख्य दुई मागै पूरा नहुने भएपछि आन्दोलनको विकल्प रहेन ।' ...... मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमको विद्रोही समूह, लिम्बू र तामाङ लगायत जातीय संगठनलाई समेत आह्वान गरिए पनि तिनको सहभागिताको टुंगो नलागेको ...... तत्काल गणतन्त्र, पूर्ण समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणाली, स्वायत्ततासहित संघीय राज्य चाहने सबै शक्तिबीच ध्रुवीकरणका लागि गोलमेच आह्वान गरिएको .... रामचन्द्र पौडेलले 'माग त हाम्रा पनि छन्, घरजग्गा फिर्ता, विस्थापितको पुनःस्थापनलगायत'
तराईका समस्या समाधान जरुरी’ निर्वाचनका लागि शान्ति आवश्यक रहेको बताउँदै तराईका समस्या समाधानप्रति दलहरूको ध्यान जानुपर्ने ...... 'निर्विघ्न चुनाव गराउनका लागि तराईका समस्या समाधान र देशलाई गृहयुद्धको भुमरीबाट जोगाउने हो भने संविधानसभा निर्वाचन हुनुपर्छ ।'
यादव पार्टी विस्तारमा व्यस्त मधेसमा घट्दो जनाधार र पार्टीविरुद्ध हुन थालेको भौतिक तथा राजनीतिक आक्रमणको मुकाविला गर्न माओवादी केन्द्रीय नेता मातृका यादव यतिखेर तराई केन्दि्रत कार्यक्रममा व्यस्त छन् । ....... एक सातादेखि भूमिगत शैलीमा जनकपुरमा रहेका मिथिला उपराज्य समिति इन्चार्ज यादवले पाँच जिल्लाका पार्टी नेतासँग सामूहिक तथा छुट्टाछुट्टै रूपमा भेटेका छन् । मिथिला उपराज्य समितिको बैठकको नाउँमा भेला भएका सप्तरी, सिरहा, धनुषा, महोत्तरी र सर्लाहीका जिल्ला कमिटी सदस्यहरूसँगको भेटमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको अवस्था मूल्यांकन, जानु नै पर्ने भयो भने अपनाउनुपर्ने रणनीति तथा मधेसीको चाहनाबारे छलफल भएको छ । सरकार-फोरम वार्ताको विश्लेषण तथा मधेसमा यसको प्रभाव, जनाधारबारे पनि छलफल भएको स्रोतले बतायो । ...... नवगठित मिथिला उपराज्य समिति बैठक भइरहेकै बेला जनकपुर उद्योग व्यापार संघ र माओवादी निकट गार्मेन्ट मजदुर एवं वाईसीएलबीच झडपसमेत भएको थियो । पाँच दिनसम्म माओवादीविरुद्ध जनकपुर बजार बन्द रह्यो । व्यापारीले माओवादी र वाईसीएल विरुद्ध प्रदर्शनसमेत गरे । ...... आफ्नै गृहनगरमा पार्टीविरुद्ध भएको उग्र प्रदर्शनको जवाफ उनले प्रदर्शनकै माध्यमले दिए । प्रदर्शनलाई शिक्षा तथा खेलकुद राज्यमन्त्री मंगलसिंह राठौरविरुद्ध केन्दि्रत गरिएको थियो भने पार्टीविरुद्ध लागेका व्यावसायीलाई हदैसम्मको धम्की दिइएको थियो । त्यसले युवा व्यावसायीलाई आक्रोशित बनाएको छ भने मुखिया र व्यापारी डराएका छन् । ...... । "संविधानसभा जतिसक्दो चाँडो होस् भन्ने चाहन्छौं तर कस्मिरको जस्तो चुनावको अर्थ रहन्न .... बैठकले पाँच जिल्लामा नयाँ नेतृत्व चयन गरेको छ
मधेसी दल खोल्ने योजना काठमाडौ, भदौ २६ - निर्वाचन आयोगले दल दर्ताको म्याद नथपेकाले मधेसका नेताहरूले बेग्लै पार्टी गठन गर्ने योजना अवरुद्ध भएको एक सक्रिय योजनाकारले बताएका छन् । कांग्रेस सांसद तथा पूर्वमन्त्री जयप्रकाश गुप्ताले दलहरूसँग सम्बद्ध मधेसका नेताहरू मिलेर छुट्टै दल गठनको योजना बीचैमा रोकिएको बताए । 'जेठमा आयोगले दल दर्ताको सूचना गर्दा पार्टी गठन टुंगोमा पुगेको थिएन । चुनाव सरेपछि योजना परिपक्व भएको हो,' उनले कान्तिपुरसित भने- 'आयोगले दोस्रोपटक दल दर्ताको अवसर नदिएकाले त्यत्तिकै अडकिएको छ ।' उनले पार्टी विधान, दल दर्ताका लागि आवश्यक १० हजार हस्ताक्षर र घोषणापत्र तयार भइसकेको बताए । दल दर्ताको म्याद थप गर्न अनुरोध गर्दै निवेदन परे पनि आयोगले दल दर्ताको सूचना प्रकाशित गरेको छैन । आयोगका आयुक्त दोलखबहादुर गुरुङले निर्वाचनको तयारीमा जुटिसकेकाले दल दर्ताको म्याद थप्ने सम्भावना नरहेको बताए । उनले आयोगमा ६१ वटा दल दर्ता भएको र संविधानसभा चुनावमा तिनै दलले मात्रै मान्यता पाउने बताए । एक साताअघि रामेश्वर शाहले दल दर्ताको म्याद थप गर्न अनुरोध गर्दै निवेदन दिएका थिए । गुप्ताका अनुसार आयोगले त्यस्तो अवसर नदिए अहिले भएकै पार्टीबाट संविधानसभामा सहभागी हुने रणनीति मधेसी नेताहरूले लिएका छन् एमाले केन्द्रीय सदस्य रघुवीर महासेठले क्षेत्रीय पार्टी खुल्न सक्ने सम्भावना स्वीकार्दै 'राष्ट्रिय दलहरूले अझै पनि मधेसका मुद्दा उपेक्षा गरे क्षेत्रीय पार्टी खुल्न सक्छ' भने । एमालेकै महेन्द्र यादवले पनि पार्टी नेतृत्वसँग मधेसका मुद्दामा आफ्नो असन्तुष्टि रहेको बताए ।
निर्वाचनको प्रतिरोध गर्छौंः गोइत
संविधानसभा निर्वाचनका पूर्वाधार तराई/मधेसका जनताले उठाइरहेका पहिचान तथा राज्यमा स्वामित्वको सवाललाई सरकारले पारदर्शी वार्ता प्रक्रियाको माध्यमबाट जनविश्वास प्राप्त गर्नेगरी सम्बोधन गर्न आवश्यक छ । तसर्थ सरकारले त्यहाँ सक्रिय सबै समूहसित वार्ता गरी शान्ति स्थापनाका लागि पहल गर्नुपर्छ साथै जीवन कष्टकर हुँदै गएको मध्यतराईको वर्तमान अवस्थालाई रोक्न सबै राजनैतिक दल संवेदनशील हुनु आवश्यक छ ।

Talks with Tharu body end inconclusively Kantipur the United Tharu National Front- Nepal (UTNF-N) ..... The UTNF-N has put forth a 23-point demand, of which four are significant political demands. Rest of the demands are related to implementation of commitments made in the past. ..... The four political demands include a federal state structure based on caste, region and linguistic geography with the right to self-determination, fully proportionate representation of all in Constituent Assembly (CA) castes based on their population, scrapping of the government announcement to declare 20 districts of the Tarai as Madhesh and holding a roundtable conference of all disgruntled groups before the CA poll. ....... a 15-member talks team of the UTNF-N including coordinator Yogendra Prasad Tharu represented the agitating party.
Maoist driver, bodyguard flee with gun, car The personal bodyguard and driver of Maoist central member and former minister Matrika Yadav ran away along with cash, a gun and a party vehicle, Tuesday morning. According to Shivaram Yadav, Kathmandu coordinator of Maoist sister wing Madhesi Mukti Morcha (MMM), bodyguard 'Sartha' and driver Binod Kumar Yadav (Bibek) made off with Rs. 500,000 in cash, one AK-47 rifle and the vehicle, after taking Matrika Yadav to a party function in Janakpur. According to party sources, the duo entered Bihar, India through Hanumannagar transit point in Siraha at 11:30 a.m. the same day. Bibek, a former military commander of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha-Goit faction(JTMM-G), had defected from the JTMM-G in similar fashion nearly a year ago. He had left the group, taking with him three SMG rifles, three muskets, a local-made pistol and two other weapons before joining the Maoists.
‘Use force against terai criminal activity’
JTMM-Goit announces Terai bandh coinciding with CA polls
MMT Calls Off Tarai Bandh Himalayan Times The Madhesi Mukti Tigers on Wednesday withdrew the indefinite general strike it had called in the Tarai. Central member of the MMT Sukh Dev Singh said the bandh was withdrawn in view of the problems faced by the general public, students, businessmen and transport entrepreneurs. The group had called the general strike on September 7.
Maoist roundtable conference begins today Leaders of SPA, fringe left parties ‘invited’ ..... NC, CPN-UML yet to receive invites ..... beginning tomorrow at Hotel Malla. .... Amrit Kumar Bohara said, adding: “Objective of the roundtable is unclear. Relevance of the roundtable conference was over the moment dissolved House of Representatives was revived through the second Jana Andolan.” ........ Chakra Prasad Bastola .. “Our party may not participate in the conference even if it receives the invitation. We want to settle all key issues through eight-party meetings, not from other processes.” ..... the party had not invited the groups such as Jwala Singh and Jaya Krishna Goit-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) who were engaged in violence. ..... they would table the party’s 22-point charter for discussion during the roundtable and agenda from other groups would also be equally entertained. He said the roundtable conference would chiefly dwell on the issue of declaring the country a republic before the constituent assembly election and proportional representation system for assembly polls. He said the conference would also discuss the possibility of launching a joint peaceful movement to press for a republic before the polls and proportional representation system of election. ...... Ananta, CPN-Maoist deputy commander, today said his party would break all previous agreements, including the 12-point understanding, signed with the seven-party alliance after the party forms a common minimum programme with the parties and factions supporting republic. ..... would culminate in the formation of a front of the like-minded parties and factions to press for republic through a peaceful movement. ...... “We might even consider walking out of the parliament after walking out of the government,” he said. ..... urged Prime Minister Girija Prasad Khanal to immediately call the meeting of the eight parties, saying the constituent assembly elections without the participation of the Maoists would be “tasteless.” “The PM must take the initiative to avoid split in the eight parties ....... “The reason for all the current crises is the lack of capable leadership.”
Govt-Janajati pact: PM in the dark “We cannot wait too long (for the pact to be implemented),” Dr Gurung said, adding that they would launch protest programmes if the government failed to implement the agreement soon.


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Federal National Democratic Forum: The Janajati Party


"My father's right hand does not know what my father's left hand is doing."
-- Uday Hussein on Saddam Hussein
PM Koirala says he is unaware about govt-NFIN agreement

Federal National Democratic Forum

Federal National Democratic Forum: that is the umbrella of the Rai, Limbu and Tamang parties that have been agitating for completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly. I think they should register as one party, the Federal National Democratic Forum. That way they will have the option to emerge as the party for all Janajatis, and not just the three listed groups. The name is also neutral enough that it can have a national reach. It can go into the Terai, it can hope to attract some progressive Bahun Chhetris.

And there is an urgent need for a Dalit party. They need a party of their own more than any other group in the country. Mayawati of Uttar Pradesh is a good role model. How about Dalit Forum? Would that be a good name?

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. Federal National Democratic Forum. Dalit Adhikar Forum. That way you are going to end up with a strong Forum Alliance in the constituent assembly.

Roundtable Conference

I think the Maoists are doing the country a huge favor by holding a roundtable conference with about a dozen ethnic and regional organizations.

Armed Madhesi Groups

The roadmap is clear. You treat the Madhesi Maoists like you treated the Pahadi Maoists: with respect. You release all their cadres languishing in jail. You take back all cases filed against them. You put all their soldiers into cantonments. And then you get them to go contest the November election that you agree to hold on a completely proportional formula.

Goit just announced a four day Terai Band starting from November 20. I think the Band will happen if the political paralysis continues. And then you are looking at chaos: further political paralysis, further lawlessness.

Republic Now

What the heck.

Completely Proportional Elections

That will bring into fold all the unarmed ethnic, regional and Dalit organizations.

Respectful Dialogue With The Armed Madhesi Groups

We have done this before, with the Pahadi Maoists. We can do it again. We already have a well-oiled peace infrastructure in place.

November Fiasco

If these steps are not taken, instead of a November Election, we are looking at a November Fiasco. It is not going to be hard for Goit, Jwala and the others to make sure the election does not take place in the Terai. All they have to do is call for a Terai Band, like they already did.

In The News

Koirala, Deuba meet concludes; party unification ‘like’ to be announced on Thursday Kantipur
Maoist demands must be addressed within next few days: Speaker
JTMM-Goit announces Terai bandh coinciding with CA polls
PM Koirala reiterates his commitment to hold CA elections
Surya Nepal shut down following continued protests by the workers demanding permanent status for the last two days. .... Dabur Nepal ... Before that, the company was forced to halt productions on August 10 as well following the Maoist affiliated trade union's strike.
Maoists making joke of democracy: MPRF Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) Chairman Updenra Yadav Wednesday said it was disappointing that the ministers in the current government were themselves making statements against the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections. ...... Yadav is in Duhabi, the home village of rebel MPRF leader Kishor Kumar Biswas who had come down heavily on the government-MPRF 22-point agreement, to lead a victory rally in support of the agreement. ........ He also said that the government was not able to create an environment to hold the CA elections on the scheduled date. .... "First, there should be unity among the eight parties," Yadav said, "Then the elections can be conducted in more than one phase, if necessary." "The army could be also deployed (during the CA elections on November 22)," said Yadav.
CA elections monitoring committee organizing all-party gathering in Biratnagar

Speaker Nemwang for immediate dialogue on Maoist demands NepalNews the top leaders of the eight-party alliance should open dialogue on the 22-point demands put forward by the CPN (Maoist). ..... The Speaker also hinted that he was ready for announcement of republic - the key Maoist demand - from the House if the eight parties agreed on it. ..... the Maoists are organising a roundtable conference in Kathmandu Thursday involving some of the ruling allies, the dissident faction of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, indigenous groups, Dalit organisations and civil society representatives
Koirala, Deuba discuss unity
Maoists to hold roundtable with around dozen organisations The Maoists are preparing to hold roundtable meeting with around one dozen ethnic and regional organisations and other interest groups from Thursday. ........ "We are holding the roundtable to end the current political impasse in the country," said Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. According to him, the Maoists will discuss issues of common interest as well as their 22-point demands at the roundtable. ....... Limbuwan groups, dissident group of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), ethnic organisations and leftist outfits. ..... Federal National Democratic Forum, a network of Limbuwan, Khumbuwan and other groups, have asked the Maoists to first walk out of the government to have an effective roundtable meeting.
PM Koirala says he is unaware about govt-NFIN agreement PM Koirala expressed his unawareness about the agreement, on Tuesday morning, when a delegation of NFIN led by its president Pasang Sherpa went to Baluwatar to submit a memo requesting the government to implement the agreement. ...... The 20-point agreement reached in the talks held in Godavari, Lalitpur, included constitutional guarantee of at least one seat to each indigenous group in the constituent assembly. ....... Sherpa said he was surprised with the PM's remarks and said it showed that the government lacked sensitivity to implement the agreement with ethnic communities.
Govt-Tharu Morcha talks inconclusive Samyukta Tharu Rastriya Mukti Morcha .... guarantee of ‘Tharuwan state’ after the constituent assembly election and proportional electoral system based on ethnicity. .... Yogendra Tharu ..... Ram Chandra Poudel ... Gyanendra Karki and Ram Chandra Yadav
JTMM-Goit vows to disrupt CA polls Even as Maoists gear up for a nationwide protest movement to create 'conducive environment' for constituent assembly polls, the Jantantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM, Goit faction) has announced various programmes to make sure the polls are not held in Terai ......... “the Nepali rulers have no right to hold constituent assembly election in Terai.” ...... the group has also announced a four-day general strike in Terai starting November 20, along with various other protest programmes. ..... normal life in many parts of eastern Terai has been crippled due to strikes called by the JTMM, Madheshi Mukti Morcha and other agitating groups since past one week. The strikes have shut down most of the educational institutions, businesses and factories while vehicles remain largely off the road.
YCL demonstrates by brandishing Khukuris
NSP dispute intensifies, 14 leaders to boycott party convention The leaders demanded that a fresh date be declared to hold the convention in a conducive atmosphere after settling the party's internal dispute. ...... Bharat Bimal Yadav, Hridayesh Tripathi and Govinda Tharu. ..... Khusi Lal Mandal, Dambar Narayan Yadav, Bishwanath Prasad Shah, Dilip Kumar Singh, Gobinda Chaudhary, Sriman Narayan Mishra, Rameshwor Roy Yadav, Raj Narayan Sah, Satyawati Kurmi, Ram Babu Yadav, Sunil Rohit and Raman Kumar Pandey
Deuba says only technical matter remains for unification
Jwala's men murder schoolteacher in Siraha
Experts call for alternative development models



Time To Hit The Campaign Trail



Stepping out of the government might be a good tactical move on the part of the Maoists. It is more fun to campaign as the opposition. But instead of focusing on a "movement," they should turn their 22 points into election issues to be used against the parties in power.

They could legitimately take prime credit for the very idea of a constituent assembly. They could take credit for the impending republic. They could say they forced even the Congress to come out for a republic. They definitely can take a lot of credit for the idea of federalism. If it were not for the Maoists, the UML and the Congress would not have gone for federalism.

Of all the big parties, it is the Maoists who are out there in the front when it comes to Dalit and Janajati and women's rights. The Maoists are the only big party with a concrete map for federalism. They will reap some major electoral rewards because of that.

But above all, they must trust the people. The masses vastly outnumber their cadres. They should commit themselves to free, fair elections, and they should enter the campaign fray with gusto. They have some good orators, starting with Prachanda himself. They definitely have a superb nationwide party organization.

As long as the Maoists give the impression they are for rule of law, they are for multi-party democracy, that they are for ballot box power, not muscle power, I think they could do very well at the polls.

Declaration of republic can wait a few months. And you can not put too much stock in electoral procedure. The mixed election can work.

It is time to go to the people. It is the people who have the answers. It is the people who have the power. You go to them.

Rai Party, Limbu Party, Tamang Party, Dalit Party

The same applies to them. Got to go to the people.

MJF, Sadbhavana

Got to go to the people. Got to stay united, and got to go to the people.

April Revolution, Madhesi Kranti, November Election

The April Revolution was the first of its kind in world history. The Madhesi Kranti was more intense than the April Revolution. The November Election is going to be bigger than the April Revolution and the Madhesi Kranti put together.

In The News

सद्भावनामा हानथाप Kantipur काठमाडौं, भदौ २५ - नेपाल सद्भावना पार्टीका १४ नेताले महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिने घोषणा गर्दै कार्यकर्तालाई पनि नजान आग्रह गरेका छन् । नेताहरूको सदस्यता निलम्बन गर्ने क्रम पनि जारी छ । ती नेताहरूले विवाद समाधान गरेर सहज वातावरणमा महाधिवेशन गर्न तिथि तोक्नु उचित हुने राय दिएका छन् । विज्ञप्ति निकाली भाग नलिने घोषणा गर्नेमा सांसदत्रय भरतविमल यादव, हृदयेश त्रिपाठी र गोविन्द थारू छन् । त्यस्तै वरिष्ठ नेता खुसीलाल मण्डल, केन्द्रीय सदस्यहरू डा. डम्बरनारायण यादव, सत्यवती कुर्मी, विश्वनाथप्रसाद साह, प्रचार विभाग प्रमुख श्रीमननारायण मिश्र छन् । पूर्वसांसद एवं केन्द्रीय सदस्य रामेश्वरराय यादव, पूवर् युवा मञ्च अध्यक्ष राजनारायण साह, दिलीपकुमार सिंह, विद्यार्थी मञ्चका राष्ट्रिय अध्यक्ष रामबाबु यादव, महोत्तरीका जिल्ला अध्यक्ष सुनिल रोहित, केन्द्रीय अनुशासन समितिका सचिव रमणकुमार पाण्डेयले पनि महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिन आग्रह गरेका छन् । 'पार्टी एकताका लागि हामीले आ-आफ्ना समर्थकलाई समेत विवादित महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिन आह्वान गरेका हौं,' सांसद भरतविमलले भने- 'हाम्रो एकमात्र लक्ष्य सद्भावना टुक्रिन नदिनु हो ।' महाधिवेशन तयारीकै लागि वीरगन्ज पुगेका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष कर्णले भने बिहीबार महाधिवेशन सुरु हुने बताएका छन् । उनले पाँच सय कार्यकर्ता वीरगन्जमा तयारीमा जुटिरहेको दाबी गरे । 'महाधिवेशन नीति र नेताको निर्णय गर्ने थलो हो,' उनलेे भने- 'गुनासो भएकाले समेत महाधिवेशनमा कुरा राख्नुपर्छ ।' उनले कार्यकर्तामा पकड भएका व्यक्तिले महाधिवेशनबाट आत्तिनुपर्ने स्थिति नरहेको बताए । यता केन्द्रीय कार्यालय कब्जा गरेर बसेका महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले पनि बुधबार वीरगन्ज जाने योजना बनाएका छन् 'महाधिवेशन कुनै हालतमा हुन दिन्न,' उनले भने । उनले आफ्नै नेतृत्वमा कार्यकर्ताले महाधिवेशन गर्न नदिने दाबी गरे । अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहले महाधिवेशन स्थगित भएको जानकारी गराइसकेकी छन् भने महतो पक्षले निर्धारित समयमै हुने भन्दै तयारी गरिरहेको छ । प्रवक्ता गिरी निलम्बित अध्यक्ष सिंहले प्रवक्ता सरिता गिरीलाई पार्टी हितविपरीत कार्य गरेको भन्दै मंगलबार साधारण सदस्यबाट समेत निलम्बन गरेकी छन् । यसअघि वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष लक्ष्मणलाल कर्ण, उपाध्यक्ष तथा मन्त्री राजेन्द्र महतो, रामनारायण यादव र महासचिव अनिल झालाई निलम्बन गरिएको थियो । अकार् तिर महतो पक्षका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष कर्णको अध्यक्षतामा बसेको बैठकले महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्तालाई निलम्बन गरेको छ भने अध्यक्ष सिंहविरुद्ध अविश्वासको प्रस्ताव दर्ता गराएको छ ।
मलंगवामा फोरमको विजय जुलुस सर्लाही, भदौ २५ - सरकारसँग वार्ता सफल भएकोमा सोमबार मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमले मलंगवामा विजय जुलुस प्रदर्शन गरेको छ । जुलुसमा फोरमका कार्यकर्ताले मधेसीको हितमा सरकारसँग भएको सम्झौताको स्वागत गर्दै नराबाजी गरे । जुलुस मलंगवा नगर परिक्रमा गरी जिल्ला विकास चोकमा सभामा परिणत भएको थियो । मधेसी अधिकारका लागि गरेको आन्दोलनका उपलब्धि उक्त सम्झौताबाट संस्थागत भएको वक्ताको भनाइ थियो । सभाका प्रमुख वक्ता फोरमका सदस्य कृष्णदेव यादवले २ सय ३८ वर्षपछि राज्य मधेसीलाई मूलधारमा जोड्न बाध्य भएको बताए । आफ्नो भाग्यरेखा आफैं कोर्ने संविधानसभाको अवसरलाई सफल पार्ने सबै मधेसीको दायित्व भएको उनले औंल्याए । उनले फोरम र सरकारको सम्झौतापछि असन्तुष्ट बनेका पक्षलाई समेत चुनावमा सँगै मिलेर सहभागी हुन आउन आग्रह गरे । जुलुस र सभामा उल्लेख्य सहभागिता थियो । सभामा फोरमका जिल्ला अध्यक्ष रवीन्द्र यादवले सरकारले सम्झौता उल्लंघन गरे सम्पूर्ण मधेसी युवा आन्दोलनमा उत्रने चेताबनी दिए । सभामा युवा फोरमका अध्यक्ष अशोक यादव, विद्यार्थी प|mन्टका अध्यक्ष गणेश यादवलगायतका वक्ताले चुनावमा लाग्न सबैलाई आग्रह गरेका थिए ।
टाइगरद्वारा विस्फोट
सबै दल मधेसका एजेन्डासहित प्रचारमा चितवन, भदौ २५ - संविधानसभा निर्वाचन नजिकिँदै गर्दा मध्य र पश्चिमाञ्चलका तराईका जिल्लामा चुनावी चहलपहल बढ्दै गएको छ । यस क्षेत्रमा आन्दोलनरत मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरम र सरकारबीच सहमतिपछि जिल्लाहरूमा दलहरूले चुनावी गतिविधि तीव्र पारेका छन् माओवादी कार्यकर्ताहरूमा निर्वाचनबारे द्विविधा र कांग्रेस एकीकरणमा अन्योल भइरहँदा खास गरी एमालेले गाउँ-गाउँमा चुनावी गतिविधि बढाउँदै लगेको छ । पछिल्लोपटक मधेस जनअधिकार फोरमले समेत तराईका गाविसमा एकाएक संगठन विस्तार र कार्यकर्ता परिचालन थालेको छ । यसअघि सद्भावना पार्टी निकट रहेकाहरू अहिले फोरममा क्रियाशील भएको जिल्लास्थित कान्तिपुर सहकर्मीहरूले जनाएका छन् । सरकार-फोरमबीच सहमतिपछि मध्य तराईका अन्य जिल्लासँगै बारामा पनि संविधानसभा चुनाबको चहलपहल बढेको छ । संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको प्रचारमा राजनीतिक दल अग्रसर भएका छन् । त्यस्तै फोरम पनि संविधानसभाको चुनावबाट बाँकी लक्ष्य पूरा हुने बताउँदै चुनावी अभियानमा होमिएको छ । 'प्राप्त उपलब्धिको रक्षा गर्दै संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनमार्फत उपलब्धि हासिल गर्नु मधेसी समुदायको बुद्धिमानी हुनेछ, फोरम बुद्धिजीवीका जिल्ला अध्यक्ष उमेशलाल दासले बताए । प्ा्रचारमा एमाले अरूभन्दा अगाडि रहेको छ । उसले यहाँका गाउँ-सहरका भित्ताहरू 'संविधानसभा सफल पारौं,' को नाराले रंगाइसकेको छ । एमाले जिल्ला प्रचार प्रमुख कृष्ण पौडेल जिल्लाका ९८ गाविसमध्ये अधिकांशमा चुनावमा सचेतना जगाउने तथा कार्यकर्ता प्रशिक्षण गर्ने कार्य जारी रहेको बताउँछन् । त्यस्तै पार्टी एकताको प्रतीक्षामा रहेको कांग्रेस पनि संविधानसभाका लागि आन्तरिक गृहकार्यमा भने जुटिसकेको छ । 'एकीकरण भए लगतै प्रचारमा जुट्नेछौं,' जिल्ला कमिटी सदस्य कृष्णव्रत सिंहले भने- 'संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रमा जाने पार्टीको निर्णयले यहाँका युवाहरू नयाँ जाँगर पलाएको छ ।' उता सद्भावना पार्टी पनि 'अभी नहीं तो कभी नहीं' -अहिले भएन भने कहिल्यै हुँदैन) भन्ने नाराका साथ प्रचार-प्रसारमा जुटेको छ । यता माओवादी पनि केन्द्रले जारी गरको २२ बुँदेधारणा जनताको घर दैलोमा पुर्‍याउने अभियानमा जुटेको छ । 'संविधानसभाको सुनिश्चितताका लागि यी माग पूरा गराउने कार्यमा जन दबाब सिर्जन गर्न यसो गरेको उसको धारणा छ । 'संविधानसभाको सुनिश्चितताका लागि यी माग पूरा हुनु आवश्यक छ,' जिल्ला कमिटी सदस्य विरोधले बताए । त्यस्तै जिल्लाका स्थानीय दैनिक तथा एफएमहरूले पनि संविधानसभाको बारेमा नियमित बहस चलाउन थालेका छन् । बहसमा स्थानीय नेता, अधिकार कर्मीद्वारा संविधानसभाको महत्त्वको विषयमा जानकारी गराउने गरेका छन् । पर्सामा पनि चुनावी चहलपहल सुरु भएको छ । विभिन्न दलका केन्द्रीय नेताहरूको दौडाहाले सदरमुकाममा चुनावी वातावरण गर्माएको छ । प्रमुख राजनीतिक दलका सम्भावित उम्मेदवार, तिनको अवस्था बारेमा जोडघटाउ सुरु भएको छ । निर्वाचन क्षेत्र थप भई संख्या ५ पुगेकाले पनि सम्भावित उम्मेदरवारमा जोस बढाएको छ । जिल्लामा प्रभाशाली रहेका दुवै कांग्रेस र एमालेलाई चुनाव लागिसकेको छ । मधेस आन्दोलनपछि प्रतिकूलतासित जुझिरहेको माओवादी पनि केन्द्रको निर्देशनको प्रतीक्षामा छ मधेस आन्दोलनबाट उदाएको फोरम चुनावकै मुखमा चोइटिएकाले कार्यकर्ता पंक्ति भने अन्योलमा छचुनावी अभियानमा एमाले अघि देखिएको छ । जिल्लामा दह्रो मानिएको कांग्रेसका कार्यकर्ता एकीकरण घोषणाको प्रतीक्षामा रहेकाले केही सुस्त छन् । तैपनि दुवै कांग्रेसले आआफ्ना पार्टीको कार्यक्रम गरिरहेकै छन् । 'सबैभन्दा सशक्त कांग्रेस गाउँ नपसी चुनावी माहोलमा अपेक्षित गरमपना आउँदैन, सञ्चारकर्मी दीपेन्द्र चौहान टिप्पणी गर्छन् । एमालेले सदरमुकामका सबै वडामा निर्वाचन परिचालन, अर्थ संकलन र प्रचारप्रसार समिति गठन गर्न भ्याइसकेको छ । स्वयं सेवक दस्ता पनि गठन गरिसकेको पाटीर् को जिल्ला समिति सदस्य अरविन्द सिंह बताउँछन् । 'यसबाहेक आफ्ना जनवर्गीय संगठनहरूलाई सक्रिय बनाई पूरै पार्टी पंक्तिलाई चुनावी अखडामा होम्न एमाले लागिपरेको छ,' सिंहले कान्तिपुरसित भने । जनवर्गीय संगठन नभएका ठाउँमा गठन गर्ने र भएकामा सक्रिय बनाउने अभियान सुरु गरिएको छ । कांग्रेस प्रजातान्त्रिकले वषर्ाद् अगावै जिल्लाका सबै पन्ध्रवटा इलाकामा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनसम्बन्धी प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गरिसकेको थियो । प्रशिक्षण कायर् क्रममा बुथ समितिका पदाधिकारीहरूलाई सहभागी गराइएको पार्टीको जिल्ला समिति सदस्य जनार्द्घनसिंह क्षेत्रीले बताए । सद्भावना पार्टीले वीरगन्जमा गर्ने विशेष महाधिवेशन विवाद बढेपछि कार्यकर्ता अन्योलमा परेका छन् । महाधिवेशन सकिनासाथ हामीलाई चुनाव लागिहाल्छ, पार्टीको पर्सा जिल्ला सचिव शिव पटेलले कान्तिपुरसित भने । माओवादीका स्थानीय नेताहरू चाहिँ अहिलेको अवस्थामा वास्तविक संविधानसभाको चुनाव हुन नसक्ने केन्द्रको भनाइ दोहोर्‍याइरहेका छन् । गोलमेच सम्मेलन आयो जना गरी निर्वाचनका तगाराहरूलाई किनारा नलागाउने हो भने चुनाव होइन चुनावको नाटक हुनेछ, अखिल नेपाल ट्रेड युनियन महासंघका केन्द्रीय सदस्य सोनालाल साह भन्छन् । मकवानपुरमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचन प्रचारका लागि केही राजनीतिक दलहरू गृहकार्यमा व्यस्त रहेका छन् भने केही दलहरू गाउँ-गाउँमा कार्यकर्ता भेला गर्दै चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार समिति गठन गर्न थालेका छन् । दामनमा जनमोर्चाले निर्वाचनका लागि कार्यकर्ता भेला गरेको थियो । निर्वाचनमा होमिएको एमालेले नगरका विभिन्न वडाहरूको चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार कार्यालयको स्थापना गरिसकेको छ भने अधिकांश गाविसमा चुनाव प्रचार समिति गठन गरिसकेको छ । उता एकीकरणनजिक पुगेको प्रजातान्त्रिक कांग्रेसले शनिबारदेखि गाउँ/गाउँमा चुनावी अभियान सुरु गरेको छ । नेपाली कांग्रेसले ४३ गाविसमा चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार समिति गठन गर्न जिल्लाका नेताहरू गाउँ-गाउँमा पठाउने निर्णय गरिसकेको पार्टी सभापति नरेन्द्र मिश्रले बताए । माओवादीले आन्दोलन र संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनलाईसँगै लैजाने नीति लिएकाले गाउँ-गाउँमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको वातावरण बनाउने भनेर कमिटीहरू निर्माण गर्न थालेका छन् । ती कमिटीहरूले आन्दोलनसँगै चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार पनि गर्नेछन्, माओवादीका जिल्ला नेता प्रह्लाद लामिछानेले बताए . चितवनमा एमालेले मात्रै संविधानसभा चुनावको प्रचार प्रसारलाई अभियानका रूपमा अगाडि बढाएको छ । जिल्लामा प्रभावशाली नेपाली कांग्रेस एकीकरण पर्खेर बसेको छ । भने जनमोर्चाले अर्को महिनामा प्रच्ार-प्रसारमा जाने जनाएको छ । प्रचण्ड र बादलको गृह जिल्ला चितवनमा माओवादीले अहिलेसम्म चुनावी कार्यक्रम गरेका छै नन् । उसले पछिल्लोपटक राखेको २२ बुँदे माग गाउँ-गाउँमा पुर्‍याइने जनाएको छ । पाँचवटा चुनाव क्ष्ाेत्र रहेको यस जिल्लामा एमालेमात्रै गाउँ स्तरसम्म पुगेको छ । जिल्ला सचिव विजय सुवेदीका अनुसार एमालेले जिल्ला स्तरमा १ सय ६५ सदस्यीय निर्वाचन परिचालन समिति बनाएको छ । सबै क्ष्ाेत्र र गाउँस्तरमा निर्वाचन परिचालन र प्रचार-प्रसार समिति गठन गरिसकेको छ । नेपाली कांग्रेसले एक साताअघि भरतपुर नगरपालिकाभित्र घरदैलो कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरेको थियो । त्यसबाहेक कुनै कार्यक्रम गर्न नसकिएको जिल्ला उपसभापति मे धनीराज थापाले बताए । नवलपरासीमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचन माहोल एकाएक तातेको छ । अघिल्ला निर्वाचनमा एमाले, कांग्रेस र सद्भावनाको वर्चस्व रहेको नवलपरासीमा यसपटक माओवादी र मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरम पनि सक्रिय भएका छन् । ६ वटा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र रहेकको नवलपरासीमा राजनीतिक दलका जिल्ला नेताहरू सदरमुकाम छाडेर गाउँ-गाउँ पसेका छन् । नेताहरू पार्टी कार्यकर्ता भेटघाट, प्रशिक्ष्ाण , संगठन विस्तार गाउँस्तर सभा सम्मेलनमा लागि परेका छन् । एमालेले संविधानसभामा जिताउन सम्पूर्ण भ्रातृ संगठनहरूलाई परिचालन गरेको छ । एमाले कार्यालय सचिव तिलक महतका अनुसार एमाले महेन्द्र राजमार्ग वरिपरिका गाविसमा भित्ते लेखन पहाडी गाविसहरूमा प्रशिक्ष्ाण र तराईमा सर्यू चिह्नमा भोट माग्दै हिँडेको छ । नेपाली कांग्रेसले जिल्लाका १ सयभन्दा बढी शिक्षक र प्राध्यापकलाई ७३ गाविस र एक नगरपालिकामा खटाएर पार्टीका सक्रिय कार्यकर्ताहरूलाई प्रशिक्षण दिइसकेको छ । उता नेपाली कांग्रेस प्रजातान्त्रिकले बहुदलवाद संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रको नारा लिएर संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको प्रचार प्रसारसँगै पार्टी एकीकरण प्रक्रिया बारे छलफल चलाउँदै आएको जिल्ला पार्टी प्रवक्ता सन्जय यादवले बताए । माओवादीले आफ्ना सम्पूर्ण गाउँ जनसरकारमा बसेका कार्यकर्तालाई चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार र गणतन्त्रको घोषणाका लागि जनदबाब सिर्जना गर्न गाउँ केन्दि्रत भएको पार्टी जिल्ला सचिव अनुपले बताए । फोरम र सरकारसँग वार्ता सफल भएपश्चात् झन् उत्साही भएका फोरम कार्यकर्ताहरू पछिल्लोपटक उत्साहित भएर गाउँ-गाउँ संविधान सभामा मधेसको पहुँच बढीमा भन्दै फोरमको पक्ष्ामा मतदान गर्न आह्वान गर्दै हिँडेका छन् । नेपाल सदभावना पार्टी -आनन्दीदेवी) का हैदरअली ओमिनका अनुसार जिल्ला नेताहरू गाउँ कार्यकर्ता भेटघाट कार्यक्रम तीव्र पारेका छन् । मधेसी जनता मधेसीको पक्ष्ामा रही संविधानसभा चुनाव सफल पार्न आह्वान गरेको छ । रुपन्देहीमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनका लागि ठूला राजनीतिक दलहरू चुनावी अभियानमा निकै सक्रियता देखाएका छन् । ७ वटा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र रहेको यस जिल्लामा भारतसँग सिमाना जोडिएको दक्षिणी मर्चवारदेखि उत्तरीे पहाडसँग जोडिएका गाउँहरूसम्म संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको माहोल द्रुत गतिमा अगाडि बढ्न थालेको छ । कांग्रेस, एमाले, प्रजातान्त्रिक चुनावी अभियानमा गाउँ-गाउँसम्म छिरिसकेका छन् । यी पार्टीहरूले संविधानसभा निर्वाचनका बारेमा जिल्ला भेला, क्षेत्रीय भेला र बुथ भेला सम्पन्न गर्नमा व्यस्त छन् । माओवादीले केही दिनमै गाउँमा जाने बताएको छ । मधेसमा मिडिया नेपाल पत्रकार महासंघद्वारा गत सप्ताहान्त विराटनगरमा आयोजित 'मधेसी मिडिया सम्मेलन' मा बुद्धिजीवी सीके लालले 'जनआन्दोलनताकाको गोरखापत्र, रेडियो नेपाल र नेपाल टेलिभिजनले जस्तो भूमिका निर्वाह गरेका थिए माघको मधेस विद्रोहताका कान्तिपुर दैनिक, कान्तिपुर एफएम र कान्तिपुर टेलिभिजनको भूमिका फरक थिएन' भन्ने विचारोत्तेजक टिप्पणी गरे । नेपाली मिडियाको पर्यायवाची शब्द कान्तिपुर बन्न गएकाले कान्तिपुरलाई उदाहरणका रूपमा मात्र भनेको प्रस्ट गर्दै उनले सरकारी तथा निजी सबै सञ्चारमाध्यम मधेस आन्दोलनका विषयमा उदासीन रहेको टिप्पणी गरे । मधेसमूलका कतिपय विद्वान्ले माघे मधेस विद्रोहलाई नेपाली सञ्चारमाध्यमले राजाविरुद्धको वसन्त आन्दोलनभन्दा कम आँकेको र सोही आधारमा सामग्री प्रकाशन प्रसारण गरेकाले पनि नेपाली मिडियामाथि आक्रमण हुने गरेको तर्क पनि गरिन्छ ।