KATHMANDU, May 7: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Mahendra Raya Yadav has said that unification with the newly formed Samajbadi Party Nepal is the need of the people and country.

Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) led by Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav and Naya Shakti Party Nepal led by former Prime Minister Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai formally united on Monday to form Samajbadi Party, vowing to become an alternate political force in the country.

With the new party taking the agenda of constitution amendment and people’s struggle as their medium to move forward centering their politics in Terai-Madhes, RJPN seems eager to give the stalled month-long merger process another go ahead.

“We want to merge with the Samajbadi party. We did not have enough time for discussion with the FSFN. But informal negotiations are still continuing. RJPN-Samabadi merger is the need of the country and people,” said Yadav talking to Rishi Dhamala at a Nepali Radio Network program Nepali Bahas. The RJPN is currently on homework for holding its first general convention.

“The ruling party Nepal Communist Party and the main opposition party Nepali Congress are trying to force two-party system bringing the provision of five percent threshold. Therefore, unification with Samajbadi is a requisite. Our party has officially decided to merge,” he added.

At present, a party should garner three percent votes under Proportional Representation and at least one seat under the First-Past-the-Post in the elections to gain the status of the national political party.

When asked if RJPN will agree with Samajbadi party’s 11-province model for the federal structure, Yadav said that his party also demands state restructuring.

“We have demanded revision in the constitution because we disagree with the current model of province demarcation,” he said.

Also, if the unification with the Samajbadi materializes, it will put RJPN into a stronger position to bargain with the government its agenda of constitution amendment since the three-party merger will give them 34 seats in the 275-member parliament.

RJPN, in early March, withdrew its support from the government led by Nepali Communist Party Chair K P Sharma Oli, citing the prime minister failed to keep his promise of constitution amendment.

“The clause in disagreement must be amended. Consensus on the political issues we have forwarded is a must,” he said.

He also asked Prime Minister Oli to discard his arrogance of two-third majority he commands in the parliament.

“The arrogance of previous governments led to breaking of 10-yearlong Maoist insurgency. If PM Oli keeps showing his arrogance, more problems will be created. There will be no peace, good governance and stability,” he said.

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KATHMANDU, March 19: Former DIG of Nepal Police, Parbati Thapa Monday officially joined the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSNF) led by Upendra Yadav.

Thapa has joined FSFN, confirmed party vice president Renu Yadav.

Thapa who retired from the force recently, was the first woman police officer to qualify for the position of Inspector General of Police (IGP). However, the government had appointed Additional Inspector General (AIG) Upendra Kant Aryal, who was 10 months junior to her, to the post on November 16, 2013.

Thapa, who said was competent enough, had then moved the Supreme Court against the government’s decision.

Aryal was succeeded by Prakash Aryal as the police chief on April 10, 2017 (till April 11, 2018).

KATHMANDU, Jan 22: Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chair Updendra Yadav has been exploring the possibilities of unification with the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP).

A high placed source said on Tuesday that Yadav and NCP Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ recently held discussions on unification possibilities between the two parties.

Yadav, also the deputy prime minister and health minister, has already given a positive nod for the merger with NCP.

Sources have claimed that Yadav will be ready for the merger with NCP in a condition if he is offered the position of vice-chair in the largest party. Prachanda is also positive toward Yadav’s demand.

KATHMANDU, June 3: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Anil Jha has ruled out any possibility in change in Province 2 government.

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli inducted two ministers from Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) led by Upendra Yadav into his cabinet on Friday. A day earlier, Nepal Communist Party had withdrawn its support from Lal Babu Raut government. The two Madhes-based parties FSNF and RJPN have formed a coalition government in the province 2.

With FSFN joining the NCP-led central government, theories suggest that there are possibilities of realignment of power equation in province 2 government. NCP’s withdrawal of its support given to Raut government has been taken as a mathematical move aimed at changing the government in province 2.

Following the FSFN’s decision to join Oli government, RJPN leader Manish Suman had claimed that NCP would form its own government in Madhes toppling the Raut’s government.

“The decision of FSFN to join the government will not have any impact on the provincial government,” said Jha at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Sunday.

“FSFN’s decision will not be a reason for the fall of coalition government in province. The coalition of RJPN and FSFN will stay intact,” he claimed.

“We supported Oli during the premiership election. We were hopeful that if both FSFN and RJPN supports Oli government, the constitution can be amended with two-third majority,” he furthered.

“We still hope the government will revise constitution and addresses the issues of Madhes. The RJPN will continue supporting the Oli government,” he added.

KATHMANDU, June 1: Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) will head the two ministries—Ministry of Health and Population and Urban Development Ministry at the K P Oli led cabinet.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari, on recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, has appointed FSFN Chair Upendra Yadav as the Minister for Health and Population and Istiyak Rai as the Minister for Urban Development on Friday. The President appointed them to the posts as per the Article 76 (9) of the Nepal’s constitution. Prior to this, portfolios of both ministers were held by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The duo will be administered the oath of office and secrecy at 5 pm in the evening at the Office of President at Sital Niwas.

FSFN had put forth the condition of constitution amendment as a prerequisite to join the government. It has also demanded amendment in article 274 of the constitution in a way that would allow redrawing of federal boundaries and formation of federal commission to resolve all disputes related to federal boundaries in future.

Earlier, PM Oli, who was desperate to bring the Madhes-based party on board the government, had given full assurance to revising the constitution based on ‘necessity’ and ‘justification’ but had denied to sing the written agreement—which had brought the government-FSFN talk to an abrupt halt.

Later, on May 27, FSFN Chair Yadav had held a meeting with the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and had decided to withdraw its amendment proposal on government’s policies and programs after receiving assurance from PM Oli.

A day later, FSFN and NCP chairs duo Oli and Dahal reached a two-point agreement paving way for the Yadav to join the government.

The agreement stated that the issues and demands raised by the Madhes based party, FSFN during the Madhes movement would be addressed in consensus by amending constitution.

The agreement also stated the FSFN would participate in the Prime Minister Oli’s government.

PARSA, May 15: CPN (Maoist Center) leader Narayankaji Shrestha has said that Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) has agreed to join the incumbent government.

At a press conference jointly organized by the Press Chautari Nepal and Press Center Nepal at Birgunj on Tuesday, leader Shrestha said that FSFN will be brought on board the government soon. However, no discussion was held with the Rastriya Janata Party for the same, he added.

He clarified that the ruling Maoist Center is still on the stance of the constitution amendment proposal over the issue of Madhes, registered in the Parliament.

Leader Shrestha expressed the view that all should pay their attention in building a Nepal along with social justice as it was the main task of the government and all political parties.

Referring to Province 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut’s speech at the civic reception organized to felicitate the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former Foreign Minister Shrestha argued that it was sad to put the internal matter of the country before the foreign guest in course of welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Janakpur.

KATHMANDU, March 6: Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) has decided to participate in the government.

An emergency meeting of FSFN held on Tuesday decided to join the K P Sharma Oli-led government, according to FSFN Co-Chair Rajendra Shrestha.

The ruling parties CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) and FSFN have established a consensus on constitution amendment. However the leaders from both sides have failed to hit a deal on power sharing in the new government.

FSFN, which has put forth the condition of amendment of constitution as a prerequisite to join the government, had held a meeting with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday afternoon, but the talks ended inconclusively after the leaders of the ruling parties declined to give three ministries including a deputy prime minister to FSFN.

FSFN has claimed stake over three ministries – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Planning. The party has also demanded the post of either deputy president or deputy speaker.

Prime Minister Oli is in no mood to create a deputy prime ministerial portfolio in the new cabinet. But, the ruling parties look positive to give three ministries including a state ministry and a deputy speaker to FSFN.

FSFN has also demanded amendment in article 274 of the constitution in a way that would allow redrawing of federal boundaries and formation of federal commission to resolve all disputes related to federal boundaries.

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Prime Minister K P Oli has assured that a consensus with Federal Socialist Forum Nepal will be reached in the next meeting on Thursday.

“Talks with FSFN remained positive. We will reach a crucial agreement tomorrow,” said Prime Minister Oli briefly talking to Rishi Dhamala after the meeting.

The ruling parties CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) have been holding discussions with FSFN in a bid to bring the latter on board the government through a commitment to amend the constitution in consensus.

If FSFN agrees to join Oli in the government, the left alliance will get a two-third majority government. The left alliance is only 11 seats shy for two-third majority government in the 275 member federal parliament. FSFN has 16 lower house members, and if the Upendra Yadav-led party agrees to participate in the government, the left alliance will have 190 seats.

UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali, after the meeting said that the meeting was positive to bring the FSFN into the government after amending the constitution.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 9:00 am to discuss the issues further.

Photo: Mukunda Kalikote

KATHMANDU, Jan 28: Upendra Yadav, Chairman of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN), said that his party will join the government if the left alliance becomes ready to amend constitution.

“The left alliance should clarify their stance on constitution amendment. If they assure us of amendment, we will co-operate the new government,” said Yadav at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Sunday.

“Our struggle for the constitution amendment is still on. Unless our demands are addressed, we are not participating in the government.”

Yadav also claimed that his party will lead government in Province 2. He said, “FSFN will lead government in Province 2 in cooperation with Rastriya Janata Party Nepal. There is no doubt in it.”

RAJBIRAJ, Nov 26: Chairperson of the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN), Upendra Yadav, has said development of Tarai-Madhes is not possible until discrimination ends.

Talking to Rastriya Samachar Samiti at Rajbiraj of Saptari on Sunday, Chairman Yadav said that Saptari district is behind in every sector due to discriminations and inequality existing since century.

Yadav, who is the candidate to the election of House of Representatives from Saptari-2, said that representation of Madhesi people would be guaranteed in civil service including police administration and teacher’s commission if a government of Madhesi people is formed in province no 2. There would be development of Saptari and problem of unemployment would be ended.

The Forum Chairman urged voters to give two-thirds majority to Madhes-based parties to rewrite the constitution as well as to end caste and racial -based discrimination. RSS