KATHMANDU, Aug 5: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal leader Rajendra Mahato has slammed the government for scrapping the citizenships with clarifying the details of the individuals.

The government on Sunday scrapped the citizenship of seven people including a ‘Rajendra Mahato’ without mentioning the address and other details of the concerned individuals.

“Which Rajendra Mahato’s citizenship has been canceled? There are thousands of people with the same name. Has the government scrapped my citizenship… or whose? How immature is the government,” Mahato vented ire speaking in the parliament.

“The government’s immaturity has spread rumors about me. They should apologize for defaming me and several other people,” he said.

“What if somebody tells Krishna Bahadur Mahara is a crook and should be put in jail?”

After Mahato pronounced Mahara’s name, the ruling Nepali Communist Party lawmakers and the Speaker had expressed serious objection toward his use of language in the parliament.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Rajendra Mahato has accused the government of terrorizing the media on the power of its two-thirds majority.

Speaking at the 21^st anniversary celebration function of the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Sunday, he said, “The government has become arrogant because of its two-thirds majority and has terrorized the media by trying to restrict it.”

“Oli’s arrogance will not lead to his downfall,” he warned.

Mahato was of the opinion that the government should play a responsible role to protect the democratic norms and values instead of being arrogant.

On the occasion, Mahato also congratulated and extended best wishes to the club on its 21^st anniversary.

LAHAN, June 16: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Presidium committee member Rajendra Mahato has ruled out any possibility of joining the government till the constitutional amendment is undertaken.

At a meet with cadres at Choharba of Siraha Saturday, leader Mahato put his stance clear that RJPN will not go the government until and unless constitution is amended, the criminal cases labeled against their leaders and cadres is withdrawn and oath of office is administered to Resham Chaudhary.

On the same occasion, RJPN leader and Province-2 parliamentarian Manish Kumar Suman accused the government of trying to control free press.

KATHMANDU, Dec 26: Rajendra Mahato, Presidium committee member of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) has said that Madhes alliance government will be formed in Province 2. He added that the Madhes government will continue its struggle for constitution amendment.

Of the total 32 parliamentary seats in Province 2, the Madhes-centric parties RJPN and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) secured victory in 10 seats each in the recently completed federal parliament and province assembly elections.

“The Madhes alliance will form government in Province 2, and the government will move ahead carrying the agenda of Madhesi rights, constitution amendment and development of Terai-Madhes,” said Mahato, who defeated Nepali Congress prominent leader Bimalendra Nidhi in House of Representative election in Dhanusha-3,  at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Wednesday.

He, however, said that government formation in Province 2 was not their top priority but the amendment of constitution.

“We have been struggling for amendment since the promulgation of constitution. The constitution should be revised as per the aspiration of people so that it could meet the demands of Madhesis, Dalits, Muslims and indigenous people.”

“We will create pressure for this,” he added.

“The chief minister of Province 2 will be chosen in consensus with FSFN.”

RJPN, FSFN UNIFICATION IN NEAR FUTURE

Mahato also hinted at the possibility of unification with FSFN. He said “People’s mandate is in favor of Madhes alliance. There is possibility that the two parties will unite in near future.”

“Discussions are underway. Unification process with FSFN will be initiated very soon,” he added.

Mahato also clarified that he had not held any conversation with CPN-UML Chair Oli about the government formation.

The formation of new government has delayed over the National Assembly Election Ordinance row; and the unification process between UML and Maoist Center remains uncertain as skepticism and mistrust grows among the left alliance constituents.

Oli even held back door negotiation with FSFN Chair Upendra Yadav about the formation of new government, though it didn’t go well.

But, Mahato said that the Madhes-centric parties will not let itself be used as pawn for the formation of a new government.

He said, “The three parties UML, Maoist Center and NC jointly brought the constitution disregarding the sentiments of Madhesi people. Our struggle is for the rights of Madhesi people. The Madhes-centric parties will not have any role in government formation. But, if any party assures us to support our struggle, we will support them.”

Mahato also said that the National Assembly should be formed immediately.

“If the Ordinance is wrong, the President must return it. And if it is right, then the President must approve it. The Ordinance must not be kept pending like this,” he said.

DHANUSHA, Dec 10: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal candidate Rajendra Mahato has defeated his rival from Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi to secure a seat in federal parliament from Dhanusha constituency-3. Mahato garnered 30,742 votes while his top contender Nidhi garnered 27,828 votes.

DHANUSHA, Dec 9: Rastirya Janata Party Nepal’s candidate Rajendra Mahato is leading in Dhanusha constituency-3. As of latest update Mahato has garnered 15,894 votes, trailing behind is Nepali Congress’ democratic alliance candidate Bimalendra Nidhi, who has got 14,253 votes.

JALESHWOR, Nov 23: Rajendra Mahato, member of presidium committee of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) has announced that the Madhes government will provide Rs 5 million to the families of those killed during the Madhes movement.

Speaking at a program organized to unveil the party’s election manifesto for the upcoming federal parliament and province assembly election in Jaleshwor, Mahottari on Thursday, Mahato reiterated of providing five million rupees compensation to the martyrs’ family. The regional party had already announced the compensation during the Madhes movement.

On the occasion, Mahato, also a House of Representative candidate from Dhanusha constituency-3, appealed the voters to vote and elect RJPN to form a Madhes government and fulfill the dreams of Madhesi martyrs.

Mahato also assured free education for the children of the martyrs’ families and employment for one of the family members.

Mahato, presidium committee coordinator Mahantha Thakur and other top leaders of RJPN unveiled their election manifesto.

RJPN unveils election manifesto: Development of Terai region main focus

SAGAR KARKI, KATHMANDU, Nov 9: Two heavyweights of Nepali politics Rajendra Mahato and Bimalendra Nidhi are contesting for a parliamentary seat from Dhanusha constituency-3 in the upcoming parliamentary and provincial assembly election scheduled for December 7. The first phase of the twin elections is being conducted in 32 districts on November 26.

A tough and interesting competition between the two leaders is expected in the constituency. Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) presidium committee member Mahato feels secure in the constituency since the party’s election partner Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) is supporting him. RJPN also won the local election in the constituency with a larger vote difference. But he has found a heavy match Nidhi.

Dhanusha is the ancestral district of Nidhi. Son of popular Nepali Congress leader Mahendra Narayan Nidhi, Bimalendra Nidhi has already won two elections from Dhanusha. He won Nepal Legislative election 1994, and Constitution Assembly election 2013. Though was defeated by Krishna Pratap Malla in 1999 Legislative election, his ancestral legacy and previous wins are strong bases for Nidhi’s victory in the upcoming polls.

But, Mahato is a new and strong challenger for Nidhi. Mahato is also hopeful of getting support from left alliance since NC is the top rival of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) alliance. The left alliance has decided to support Rastriya Prajatantra Party candidate Rajendra Lingden in Jhapa constituency-3 in an attempt to defeat NC’s candidate Krishna Prasad Sitaula; and Mahato is expecting the same in his constituency.

Nevertheless, the left alliance has fielded Maoist Center’s leader Ram Singh Yadav as a common candidate in Dhanusha-3 against Mahato and Nidhi. But, Yadav is a weaker candidate comparing to the two heavyweights.

Mahato had won the Constitution Assembly election 2013 from Sarlahi-4. A popular candidate from Madhes, Mahato came to highlight during the Madhes movement that broke after the Constitution promulgation in September 20, 2015. On the contrary, Nidhi was the Home Minister during the Madhes movement . And, Mahato, in his election publicity programs, is campaigning that Nidhi had led the suppression of the Madhes protest that killed 46 people including protestors and 10 security personel.

Mahato also claims that he came to contest polls in the constituency to replace Nidhi, who despite being elected again and again in previous elections, failed to develop Janakpur. He is also using Madhes issues as his slogan to woo voters in the constituency.

(This article is also contributed by thahakhabar)

‘Mahato is an outsider in Dhanusha, why will people vote him?’

DHANUSHA, Nov 9: Nepali Congress leader and Dhanusha-3 candidate for parliamentary election Bimalendra Nidhi has claimed that the left alliance will fail to garner majority in the upcoming federal parliament and province assembly elections. The two leftist force CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) has forged electoral alliance for the November 26 and December 7 elections.

But Nidhi said, “Nepali Congress (NC) candidates will become victorious in all the constituencies across the country. UML-Maoist Center alliance will never gain two-third majority.”

The left alliance is in an attempt to establish one-party ruled communist republic in the country. It’s only their dream. But, NC-led democratic alliance is fighting to keep the federal democratic republic. The election is a referendum between communist republic and democratic system. It’s up to people which system to choose,” added Nidhi while speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal in Dhanusha.

Stating that he had struggled for people since his student life, he added, “I have been to jail for people. I have always fought for democracy, republic, federalism and constitution. The voters believe me and will elect me here.”

Nidhi is a popular leader in Madhes. He won the Nepalese legislative election, 1994 and Constitution Assembly election, 2013 from the same constituency, which is a strong base for Nidhi to win election in the constituency.

“If I win the election, I will develop Janakpur as a religious tourism hub and economic center of the country,” he added.

“Not only that, Janakpur should be declared as the capital of province 2. Developing Janakpur as the spiritual, cultural and tourism town will be my first job,” he added.

He further claimed that NC will win in all four constituencies of the district.

Speaking on the occasion, Nidhi also claimed that people will not elect his challenger Rajendra Mahato.

Mahato, whose home town is Sarlahi, is a candidate from Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN). “He is an outsider. Why will people vote him?” said Nidhi.

“What status does he have in Danusha district?” he added.

“They once used bullets to suppress our movement. Now, we will use ballots to turn time in our favor.”

JANAKPUR, Nov 8: Rajendra Mahato, leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal has claimed that people of Dhanusha constituency-3 will rather vote him instead of Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi in the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Mahato and Nidhi are contesting for a parliamentary seat in the constituency. Elections to the federal parliament and province assemblies in Dhanusha district are being conducted in second phase on December 7.

People’s vote should come in favor of Madhes movement. No voters should cast their votes to the leaders who have suppressed Madhes movement, murdered Madhesi people and confiscated of their rights,” said Mahato while speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal in Janakpur, Dhanusha.

“The voters will not cast their votes to Nidhi in order to teach him some good lessons,” he claimed.

“The ruling party used bullets deprive Madhesi people of their rights. But, now time is in our favor. We have ballots, a weapon more powerful than bullets,” he said.

“Time has come to respond them,” he added.

“Six innocent Madhesi brothers lost their lives in Maleth of Saptri district. Now people reply to this incident as well through ballot boxes,” he furthered.

He further stated: “The constitution of Nepal was promulgated going against the sentiment of Madhesi people. We can never accept such constitution. NC’s Madhes-based top leader himself signed the constitution and forced Madhesi people for this too. He is from Janakpur.”

When club’s President Rishi Dhamala told Mahato that leader Nidhi has claimed himself as the Messiah (savior) of Madhes in a recent poll campaign, Mahato replied: “A leader who ordered firing at Madhesi people cannot be a Messiah. His claims are laughable. He has no moral ground to seek votes in Madhes.”

“Not in Dhanusha-3, or in any part of Madhes.”

“People are not going to believe him no matter what he says,” he continued.

Responding to Nidhi’s claim that only he had contributed in development of Madhes, Mahato said, “Even though Nidhi has won election again and again from Madhes, he has done nothing for the development of this place.”

He added, “I can’t understand on what bases he has come to Madhes to woo voters.”

“People are not going to make the same mistake again. Not in this election,” he added.

“If we vote the leader who once murdered our people, how will we reply to the world?” he further added.

On the occasion, Mahato also requested people not to take his candidacy in Dhanusha-3 otherwise. Mahato’s home town is Sarlahi. He added, “I am running the election from Dhanusha as advised by the party leadership, and as demanded by the people.”

“Janakpur is the heart of Madhes. I have come to Dhanusha highly respecting the demand and request of people here and giving the district a top priority,” he added.

“Development of Janakpur should be taken as high priority- which I will accomplish,” added Mahato.

When asked how many seat his party will win in the upcoming election, Mahato said, “Our movement will win the election. We will win in those constituencies where people will elect us. One thing is sure: we will emerge victorious in many constituencies.”

“Nepali Congress’ day here in Madhes in gone now. They didn’t develop our place. People know this. Now, Madhesi parties will rise here. We have ballot boxes. We will use this weapon (ballot boxes and votes) and turn time in our favor.”