Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Federal Democratic Madhesi Front, a coalition of seven political parties, has announced plans to hold mass gatherings in six provinces.
At a meeting held in Kathmandu on Sunday, the Front decided to organize rallies in all provinces except Gandaki. The gatherings aim to inform people about the Front’s objectives, relevance, and necessity, according to Ram Kumar Sharma, general secretary of the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, who attended the meeting.
As per the schedule, rallies will be on August 2 in Kathmandu, August 6 in Bhairahawa, August 8 in Kailali, September 1 in Biratnagar, September 3 in Janakpur and September 5 in Birgunj.
The meeting also approved the work procedures of the Front, which will take effect immediately, according to leaders.
The upcoming by-election in Rupandehi-3 was among the key agenda items of the meeting. The Front has agreed to field a joint candidate in the by-election.
The Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) has proposed nominating a common candidate from its side. NUP patron Resham Chaudhary put forward the proposal, citing the party’s strong performance in the last election and the Tharu-majority demographic in the constituency.
While all parties reportedly agreed with Chaudhary’s proposal, the Janamat Party has also laid claim to the constituency. “All member parties of the Front agree with NUP’s proposal. The Janamat Party has also presented its claim for Rupandehi-3,” Sharma said. “But we will have a common candidate for the by-election.”
NUP Patron Resham Chaudhary chaired the meeting. JSP Nepal leaders Rajkishor Yadav, Manish Suman and Ram Kumar Sharma; NUP leaders Lalbir Chaudhary and Arun Chaudhary; Rajendra Mahato, Keshav Jha and Anil Mahaseth from the Rastriya Mukti Party; Mahantha Thakur, Sarbendra Nath Shukla, Laxman Lal Karna and Gyanendra Jha from the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) Nepal; Abdul Khan from the Janamat Party; Hridayesh Tripathi, Shivji Yadav and Sabir Hussain from the Janata Pragatisheel Party; and Brishesh Chandra Lal and Braj Kishor Singh from the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party participated in the meeting.
