SLMM constituents against poll tie-up with FDRA allies

KATHMANDU, JUL 31 -
The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), an alliance of five Madhes-based parties, has expressed reluctance to forge an election alliance with allies of the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA), a loose alliance of 20 parties led by the UCPN (Maoist). The FDRA, of which the SLMM is also a key member, was formed last year.

On Tuesday, SLMM leaders skipped a meeting called by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the coordinator of the FDRA. SLMM leaders said they first need to have a common position in their bloc on any alliance for the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for November 19.

There are fringe parties in the FDRA that are ‘desperate’ for an alliance with the UCPN (Maoist) to secure their position in the elections.

According to SLMM leaders, alliance s with the FDRA allies, as desired by UCPN (Maoist), is not possible due to “some ideological differences.” They, however, said they could continue being part of the FDRA if its chief purpose is to exert pressure to hold the elections in November.

FDRA Spokesperson Prem Bahadur Singh, however, expressed optimism that the Madhes-based parties will join hands with them for the elections. “They have vowed to join a meeting on Thursday after they have a common position

(on the alliance ) on Wednesday,” Singh said.

Cross-party Madhesi leaders say an election tie-up with the FDRA parties is not possible also due to differences in the types of federalism advocated by the Maoist party and Madhes-based parties.

The SLMM members include the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic led by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Sadbhawana Party led by Rajendra Mahato, Tarai Madhesi Loktantrik Party and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic.

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