Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Federal Democratic Front, which was formed to unite Madhes-based parties around a common agenda, is facing internal rifts less than six months into its existence.
Tensions have emerged within the alliance formed in April. Power struggles over leadership roles were seen even during its inception. The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) led by Ashok Rai refused to join the alliance, citing disagreements over the agenda.
Despite initial disputes, the Front was formed with the Janamat Party, JSP Nepal, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal, Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), Rastriya Mukti Party, Janata Pragatisheel Party and the Tarai-Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP). These parties jointly organized a few events and even formed their secretariat.
However, dissatisfaction within the Front has flared again, this time over the selection of a candidate for the upcoming by-election in Rupandehi-3. Although most parties agreed to back the candidate of the NUP, the Janamat Party, led by CK Raut, opposed the idea, stating that it would contest the election independently.
The Front even organized an event in Rupandehi on Wednesday, targeting the by-election. However, there was no representation from the Janamat Party.
“We had decided to support the candidate of the NUP based on the party’s performance in the constituency in 2022,” a leader of the Front told Himal Press.
After realizing that the Front would support the candidate of the NUP, the Janamat Party has largely become inactive in the Front.
“Janamat leaders were absent in the last three meetings of the Front. We don’t know why,” the leader of the Front told Himal Press.
The Janamat Party, however, cited “technical reasons” for its absence. “There are some matters under discussion,” Chandan Singh, the General Secretary of Janamat Party, said.
According to another leader of the Front, Janamat has effectively exited the alliance. “They simply stopped attending the meetings. There is no need to make a formal announcement; that tells everything,” he added.
While Janamat Party has not formally said that it has exited the Front, one of its leaders said the party will not make any comment on the Rupandehi by-election issues. “There are several internal matters. It is not the right time to speak,” the leader added.
Janamat–NUP Rift
Interestingly, Janamat and NUP were close to merging in April. The two parties even organized a formal event to announce their unification on April 30.
However, the unification plan was put on hold due to the arrest of NUP Patron Resham Chaudhary.
While police claimed Chaudhary was arrested under a warrant related to an old case, it was later proved that his arrest was made on the basis of forged letters by a court official.
The two parties did not resume merger talks. So much so, they are having problems in coexistence within the same Front. If Janamat exits the alliance, many believe it will be only due to NUP.
“Resham’s arrest was not the only reason that affected unification. There were multiple other issues,” a Janamat leader told Himal Press. “Since NUP was clearly divided into two factions, it was becoming difficult for us to deal with that.”
their earlier intentions.
