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, Jan 20: The Rastriya Janata Party has decided to appoint Mahendra Raya Yadav as the Coordinator of the Presidium of the party.

The party’s central committee meeting on Saturday decided to appoint member of the Presidium Yadav as the coordinator with effect from today.

During the meeting, the party also decided to establish a ‘Martyrs Welfare Fund’ to mark the sacrifice day in honor of the martyrs families.

KATHMANDU, May 24: The chances of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), the fourth largest party in the federal parliament, joining the government are becoming uncertain due to lack of concrete assurance over constitution amendment from Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. In the backdrop of growing rift between Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and the government, RJPN leaders held a meeting with PM Oli at Baluwatar on Thursday. The RJPN leaders said that they are open to the possibility if the government assures them of constitution amendment.

Meanwhile, the RJPN, even five months after the conclusion of November 26 December7 House of Representatives and Provincial elections, has failed to elect a parliamentary party leader, deputy leader, chief whip and whip, among others. The government also unveiled its policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2018/19 on May 21. Focusing on these issues, Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala has interviewed Mahendra Raya Yadav, leader of RJPN. Here is an edited excerpt of the interview:

What is RJPN’s view on the policies and programs brought by the government?

It is ambitious but not enough to meet the people’s dream of economic prosperity. Therefore the policies and programs must be amended. Also, it is important how to implement the endorsed programs.

Why do you think the policies and programs are not enough?

The policies and programs need some changes. We have proposed amendment over it because it, especially, has failed to include the problems of families of the martyrs. The policies and programs, in overall, have excluded the agenda of ensuring fundamental rights to all the people of the country.

Should not the policies and programs focus on economic agendas?

The government should find out the ways to resolve the ongoing political problems along with agenda of economic development. Without resolving the political problems, economic development is not possible.

How likely is RJPN joining the government?

There have been no such talks about RJPN participating in the government. Unless the government gives unequivocal assurance to constitution amendment, release of political prisoner and treatment of those injured in the Madhes movement, moral ground for us to participate in the government will not be created.

Isn’t constitution amendment RJPN’s major agenda?

Certainly! People have given us a mandate to amend constitution. Therefore, until our demands are not met, the door to join the government will not open. People will not discount us to abandon the agenda of constitution amendment.

What do the people of Madhes want?

People of Madhes want unity between the political parties. It is their wish to have a strong force in Madhes.

Why has RJPN elected a parliamentary party leader yet even after five months of conclusion of the elections?

We are preparing statute. After we finalize the statute, we will nominate a PP leader. It will happen soon.

Will RJPN elect Mahantha Thakur as its PP leader?

He is the coordinator of party’s presidium committee. He is a proper leader and possesses a right kind of maturity. He can lead all other party leaders together. It will be better if the party nominated him as the PP leader.

KATHMANDU, March 12: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Mahendra Raya Yadav Monday said that his party voted Prime Minister K P Oli in the confidence motion in order to institutionalize the rights of Madhesi people.

“If the government has two-third majority, it will help address the issues of constitution amendment as we have demanded. Therefore, we supported PM Oli,” said Yadav talking to Rishi Dhamala at a radio program Nepali Bahas.

“Now, the government must first meet our demands of constitution amendment. Only then, we will become ready to join the government led by UML Chair Oli.”

PM Oli on Sunday secured the two third vote of confidence at the parliament. Of the total 268 parliamentarians who took part in the voting, Oli receivied 208 votes. The Madhes based parties RJPN and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) had also voted in favor of Oli.

He also added that his party, RJPN was holding talks with the government regarding the issues of amendment and possibilities of his party’s participation in the government.

“UML has assured of revision in constitution on the basis on need and justification. So, we are hopeful that our demands will be addressed,” said Yadav.

PM Oli, at a meeting of the federal parliament on Sunday before facing the vote of confidence, had stated that he had never ruled out the possibility of the amendment to the constitution. Oli also gave his words that the government would revise it on the basis of its meaning and would bring all dissenting parties on the same board.

Yadav also demanded release of lawmaker RJPN Resham Chaudhary, who is in custody in charge of masterminding the 2015 Tikapur incident.

RJPN has demanded that the government withdraw the case against everyone connected with Tikapur carnage and not to look at the incident from criminal angle.

KATHMNDU, March 5: A member of House of Representative, Mahendra Raya Yadav, has taken oath of office and secrecy today.

Senior-most member of the House of Representatives, Mahantha Thakur, administered oath of office and secrecy to Yadav.

Out of 275 HoR members, four members–Yadav, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Dharmashila Chapagain and Resham Chaudhary were absent in Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony. RSS

KATHMANDU, Oct 9: Mahendra Raya Yadav, member of the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) presidium committee, has made it clear that the RJPN will only make electoral alliance with the Nepali Congress (NC) for the upcoming House of Representatives and Federal Assemblies elections.

Speaking during an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday, leader Yadav said that RJPN would join hands with only which stands for voices of Madhesi, indigenous and Tharu community. He added, since all the six parties supporting the NC-led broader democratic alliance had different political opinions, unity among the parties was near impossible.

He ruled out the idea of joining coalition with NC.

“We will make electoral alliance with NC and other parties. Our party is focused on how to win election but we are not joining NC coalition. Unity is not possible.”

RJPN has already decided to make electoral alliance with Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal.

KATHMANDU, July 30: Leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Mahendra Raya Yadav has accused the government of not showing seriousness toward gathering two-thirds majority in support of the under-discussion constitution amendment proposal.

“The government has tricked us time and again making false promise that they would pass the amendment proposal. The ruling parties can gather 388 votes to form the government; why can’t gather two-third majority in favor of the bill,” Yadav vented ire during an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Sunday.

Stating that the government is not putting serious efforts to gather two-thirds majority he added, “No more lies.”

“The proposal is likely to get endorsed at present.”

“I demand that the government put the proposal to vote at the parliament immediately. RJPN is ready to accept the result whatsoever,” added Yadav.

He also demanded that the government withdraw criminal charges filed against the party cadres, compensate those injured in Madhes movement and give martyrdom status to those injured during the Madhes protest.

He further accused the government of forcing his party to boycott the first and second round of election. “We wanted to participate in the polls. But no favorable environment was created for us. The government made a serious mistake by disregarding our party demands and forcefully conducting election.”

“If the government disregards our party demands again, it can lead to conflict in the country,” Yadav warned.

KATHMANDU, July 28: Mahendra Raya Yadav, leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) has said that the incumbent government has been super-serious toward addressing the grievances of his party.

“Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Dueba seems more sincere regarding the demands put forth by RJPN comparing to former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.” he told Reporters’ Club Nepal on Friday.

“We shall have no objection if the constitution amendment bill is put to vote immediately. We are ready to accept the result. RJPN will participate in the third round of local level election no matter what,” Yadav added.

He furthered that PM Dueba is also preparing to address other political demands put forth by RJPN.

“Deuba is doing necessary home works. He is committed to meeting all of our political demands such as dropping criminal cases filed against RJPN cadres, compensating those injured during the Madhes movement and giving martyrdom to those killed during the protest,” said Yadav.

KATHMANDU, July 18: Mahendra Raya Yadav, leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), has urged the government to put the constitution amendment proposal to vote. He added once the bill is put to vote, any result would be acceptable to his party.

“Even though the bill fails to get endorsed, RJPN will welcome the result and participate in the election,” Yadav told Reporters’ Club Nepal on Tuesday.

“We are not against the election. We will participate but the government must address our concerns first.”

Yadav also demanded that the government immediately withdraw cases filed against RJPN cadres and compensate those injured during the Madhes movement.

KATHMANDU, July 8: Mahendra Raya Yadav, leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), has warned that his party will withdraw support from the government and start agitation if the government fails to endorse the constitution amendment bill tabled at the parliament.

Speaking during an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal of Saturday, Yadav said that RJPN cannot wait more than a week as the ruling parties had assured them of amending the constitution by mid-June and address all address all the demands of the agitating party.

“If it doesn’t happen as the ruling parties promised, we will withdraw the support from the government and start agitation against the government,” said Yadav.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and leaders of ruling parties at a meeting with RJPN leaders on Friday had assured that the government will amendment the constitution by mid-June and address all their concerns so as to bring them aboard the third round of local level election slated on September 18.

RJPN leaders have demanded endorsement of the amendment bill, increase in the number of local units in the southern plains, withdrawal of cases filed against their party cadres and compensation for those injured during the Madhes movement.

“We are waiting one more week. If the ruling parties fails to address our concerns by then, then all these talks and negotiations will have no meaning at all,” Yadav further said.

He also expressed doubt that the main opposition party CPN-UML would ever favor the bill. “UML has shown reservations over the bill since the first time it was brought. We cannot trust them over this matter,” he added.