Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The recent meeting of the Socialist Front, held at the party office of the CPN (Unified Socialist), discussed future action plans. However, Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP Nepal) Chairperson Upendra Yadav, a founding member of the Front, skipped the meeting.
Yadav is upset with CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He believes the Dahal-led government was behind his party’s split. Consequently, he welcomed the decision of the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML to form a new coalition government. His party issued a statement claiming that the new coalition will bring political stability. Lawmakers of the party even sat on the bench of ruling parties in the parliament.
However, Yadav failed to win the trust of UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Oli included Ashok Rai-led JSP, which split from Yadav’s JSP Nepal, and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party in his government. Additionally, the two parties have allied with CK Raut-led Janamat Party in Madhesh Province.
Now, Yadav is contemplating returning to the Front. His frustration with the two parties is evident in his statements. Speaking at a program in Kathmandu recently, Yadav said NC and UML are trying to revive the 1990 constitution. He also accused the two parties of attempting to eliminate small parties by increasing the election threshold.
The recent political developments could reunite Yadav and Dahal through the Front.
One allegation often made against Dahal is that he forgets everyone when in power but remembers old friends when he is not. Dahal’s behavior and statements have supported this allegation.
When NC and UML came together while drafting a new constitution in 2013, Dahal had formed a strong front of smaller parties. When leading separate coalition governments with NC and UML, he announced the formation of the Socialist Front to strengthen his bargaining power in the coalition. The Front had 54 lawmakers—32 from the Maoist Center, 12 from JSP Nepal, and 10 from the Unified Socialist. The Nepal Communist Party, led by Netra Bikram Chand, is also part of this Front. Because of this Front, Dahal could switch coalition partners at his discretion. However, he is in a difficult situation after NC and UML joined forces and ousted him from government.
One allegation often made against Dahal is that he forgets everyone when in power but remembers old friends when he is not.
Dahal is now trying to revive the Front. Leaders say preparations are underway to bring more parties on board.
Speaking at a program at his party office on Wednesday, Dahal reminisced about his former comrades and expressed a commitment to bring together leaders who left the party at different times.
“You are worried about the party’s future because of different factions. What I want to say is that the party is not heading towards a split. On the contrary, those who left the party are also coming together. You will hear the news soon,” Dahal told party cadres.
Many leaders with Dahal during the 10-year armed struggle since 1995 are no longer in the party. Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal is the UML’s deputy chairperson, while Lekhraj Bhatt is also with UML. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has formed the Nepal Socialist Party and is pursuing separate politics. Mohan Baidya and Netra Bikram Chand are also affiliated with separate parties.
After being ousted from power, Dahal has remembered not only his former comrades but also the Socialist Front. Dahal is trying to revive the Socialist Front, which became inactive after UML joined his government in March. It could be the forum that could bring Dahal and Yadav together.
