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KATHMANDU, JUN 05 - The UCPN (Maoist) has started 'back door' negotiation s for a possible electoral alliance with some Madhes-centric parties in the Tarai and the Federal Socialist Party led by Ashok Rai in the hilly region.
The Maoist party has approached the Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhawana Party, Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik led by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar for an alliance in the Madhes, leaders said.
In seeking such an alliance, the Maoist party is trying to consolidate its position in the Madhes, according to Maoist leaders. As part of the party's strategy in the Madhes, party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has already announced his plan to contest elections from the region.
"We are holding discussions with Madhes-based parties and the party led by Ashok Rai for possible electoral alliances. Drafting a new constitution is not possible without two-third votes of pro-federal forces," Maoist leader Haribol Gajruel told the Post.
A leader close to Rajendra Mahato confirmed that they were approached by the Maoist leaders. "They have proposed seat-sharing with us," said a Sadbhawana Party leader, requesting anonymity. The leader said the Maoists have also proposed a joint election campaign.
Upendra Yadav, too, has hinted at a possible election alliance. "Revolutionary forces can always come together," Yadav told the Post in an interview on Saturday.
It is interesting to note that the relationship between Yadav and the Maoist part has seen several twists and turns. A clash between supporters of the two parties resulted in a massacae in Gaur in March 2007. However, after the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, Yadav was part of both the Maoist-led and Maoist-supported governments.
The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, however, is divided over such an alliance with the Maoist party. While the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party led by Mahantha Thakur is mulling over an alliance among the Madhes-based parties, it is not planning to join hands with the Maoists.
The UCPN (Maoist) is preparing to urge its top and influential leaders such as Baburam Bhattarai, Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Barsha Man Pun to contest from Madhesi constituencies, according to knowledgeable sources.
The induction of UML leader Ram Chandra Jha into the party is being interpreted as the UCPN (Maoist) party's attempt to have a popular face of the Madhesi constituency that the party was lacking after Matrika Yadav left parted ways.
In the last CA polls, the party did not fare well in certain districts of the central and eastern Madhes such as Saptari, Sarlahi, Mohattari, and Parsa, considered the heartland of Madhesi politics.
The latest census report shows that around 50 percent of the country's total population lives in the Madhes.
As for an alliance with the Ashok Rai-led party, observers say that this could be an attempt to compensate for the split in the party after the Mohan Baidya faction formed the CPN-Maoist.
The Rai-led FSP is said to be active in certain districts of the Eastern hills. Rai had split from the CPN-UML. "They (Maoists) have informally approached us for an electoral alliance. Since both these parties are champions of identity, some alliance may be possible if elections do take place," FSP General Secretary Rajendra Shrestha said. He said negotiation s are also on between his party and Yadav's MJF-N for an alliance.
Negotiations between the UCPN (Maoist) leadership and Rai are not new. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had reportedly offered Rai the vice-chairman's position in negotiation s that followed the CA's dissolution in May last year.
If the planned alliance with the Madhesi parties does happen, the Maoist party is likely to see a certain portion of the 'caste votes' coming in their favour. While, Upendra Yadav commands the Yadav vote, Mahato could be helpful in securing votes from the Other Backward Castes. Traditionally, the Maoists have some sway over this caste group. As for Gachhadar, he could secure a certain portion of the Tharu votes.
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