RJPN-SAMAJBADI UNIFICATION “CLOSE”

KATHMANDU, Jan 30: Mahendra Raya Yadav insisted the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) has no desire to join the government led by the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) amid rumors the two parties, who dramatically announced electoral alliance ahead of the National Assembly Elections and won 16-2 seats, are in the play to change the Province 2 government.

The RJPN-NCP alliance hours later the Samajbadi Party led by Upendra Yadav pulled out of the government led to many speculations of possible government change in Province 2. The province has the RJPN-Samajbadi alliance government following their victory in the 2017 Elections.

“Our party has not discussed the issue yet. Therefore, the RJPN’s chances of joining the government led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli are very thin,” said party’s presidium member Yadav at a face-to-face interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Thursday.

“Neither have we talked the issue with the prime minister,” he added.

“It is not our priority”.

However, Yadav did not rule out the possibility, if the government addresses his party’s “primary” concerns, which include constitution amendment and release of its leaders arrested during the Madhesh-Tharuhat agitation that broke out after the Constitution of Nepal came into effect in 2015, withdrawal of criminal charges against them and helping in the medical treatment of the injured.

The Madhes-based party has serious reservations toward the constitution, which according to them, has failed to address the concerns of Madhesi and marginalized people.

The party had in March last year had withdrawn its support given to the government accusing the latter of failing to keep its promise of constitution amendment.

“We still mark Ashoj 3 (the constitution came into effect on Sept 20, 2015) as the black day,” said Yadav.

“But if our demands are met, it could create a different atmosphere,” he added.

“Then, we will discuss our next move.”

‘DEPUTY SPEAKER NOT OUR DEMAND’

Yadav also clarified that the RJPN has not bargained for the position of the Deputy Speaker. Reports have assumed that the NCP will give the position to the RJPN, who had seconded the candidacy of Agni Sapkota in the Speaker’s election. Sapkota was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives unopposed on Jan 26 since he was the single applicant for the position.

“We have not demanded the position of deputy speaker. Neither have we understood why the ruling party wants to give the post to us,” he said.

“We cannot compromise the sacrifice and dream of our martyrs for any position or power,” he furthered.

“We will not give our support back to the government unless our demands are met first.”

‘CLOSE TO MERGER WITH SAMAJBADI’

Yadav also said his party is close to unification with the Samajbadi.

“A negotiation team is still working on a possible merger. We have established consensus on our philosophy, new party’s name, election symbol and party flag.”

“We are discussing leadership management now.”

“We have very close to unification,” he furthered.

(Reporting and Written by Dil Kumar Ale Magar)

KATHMANDU, Jan 29: Province 2 State Minister for Physical Infrastructure Dimple Kumari Jha resigned from her post on Tuesday expressing discontent over the working style of the provincial government.

However, theories have suggested otherwise— the rise of a new political equation in the Madhesh amid rumors that Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and ruling Nepal Communist Party are in play to bring changes in the provincial government.

Following the victory of the RJPN-Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (now Samajbadi after merging with Dr. Baburam Bhattarai-led Naya Shakti) led by Upendra Yadav in the 2017 Elections, the two regional parties formed a coalition government in the Province 2. The Province Assembly is currently headed by Samajbadi’s Lal Babu Raut.

RJPN member Dimple Jha was elected as a member of Province 2 under proportional representation electoral system and is the spouse of RJPN presidium member Anil Jha, who is one of those in favor of quitting Yadav coalition.

After months-long effort to convince Yadav for merger made no headway, the RJPN turned its face to the ruling NCP and reached a significant two-point agreement ahead of the National Assembly Election. The electoral alliance in Province 2 rewarded it two seats in the upper house, and the RJPN now looks forward to forming a coalition with the largest party.

RJPN has publicly stated that they have no intention to oust Samajbadi in Province 2 but also hinted at a possible coalition with the NCP-led government if their demands of the constitution amendment, the release of their leaders and dropping of the criminal charges put against them would be addressed.

If the RJPN and NCP ally, they will have an absolute majority to form a new government in Province 2. If it happens, RJPN will get the Chief Minister.

Related Coverage:

Upendra Yadav should correct himself: Laxman Lal Karna (With Video)

KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Laxman Lal Karna has argued that unification with Samajbadi Party led by Upendra Yadav is possible if Yadav corrects himself and reform his party policy.

The merger talks between the two regional parties have stalled for almost a year, and with Yadav quitting the government after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli rejected his proposal to form a committee for constitution amendment in a cabinet meeting and RJPN’s subsequent electoral alliance with the ruling Nepal Communist Party in a bid to secure at least two seats in the upcoming National Assembly election and—recent and dramatic political developments, the unification possibilities seem to have been pushed further away.

Both parties have accused each other of undermining the issue of the constitution amendment—their major agenda since the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2015.

After the RJPN forged an electoral alliance with the NCP, Yadav blasted the move saying they put the unification efforts so far in vain.

Karna said, although the merger talks with Samajbadi have not made any headway at present, it could happen if Yadav’s party reforms his party policy.

He argued that Yadav never carried the agenda of the constitution amendment while joining the government.

“His deal with the ruling party was not constitution amendment but the government,” said Karna.

“I don’t mean Yadav does not favor the agenda of the constitution amendment. When we spoke about the amendment, hadn’t he said the constitution should be re-written? But today, he advocated for amendment.”

“We objected to the formation of rural municipalities and municipalities. We boycotted the first and second phases of the elections. Didn’t his party (then Federal Socialist Forum Nepal before merging with Dr. Baburam Bhattarai’s Naya Shakti) participate?”

“People’s true character is judged by his behavior, not talks.”

According to Karna, the door to unification is still open.

“Talks between the two parties could not make progress because of differences in settlement of some key leaders and party policy. We made several efforts. But, our people are the same. We have not ruled out unification hopes neither have we betrayed Samajbadi as accused by Yadav.”

“Not only Yadav’s demand for a directly elected executive president but also his party’s manifesto registered at the Election Commission which does not include the word Madhes. Why did he unite with Naya Shakti?”

“Didn’t Dr. Bhattarai write the first draft of the constitution? I got the final report at around 9 pm. He was the chair of the constitution committee. We had requested him to give us a night to read the report, but he rejected our proposal. If he wanted presidential format, why did not he write the provision in the constitution?”

Karna also said it was Samajbadi because of whom they had to ally with NCP.

“We told Samajbadi to ally but they refused. He had hoped that he would ally with NCP thinking why to move RJPN?”

The RJPN’s alliance with the ruling party in province 2 has given rise to speculation that they will form a coalition government at Province 2 keeping Samajbadi at bay.

The province has a coalition government run by RJPN and Samajbadi party.

Karna clarified that the alliance is not for the province but the upper house of the federal parliament.

“The alliance does not hint at government change. The agenda should be passed first before the issue of government change takes place. For that, our leaders should be released from jail and charges against them should be dropped. The process of constitution amendment should be given headway.”

“Unless our agendas are addressed, neither we will join the federal government nor the government is province 2 will change.”

He also ruled out the possibilities that Samajbadi and RJPN will run the government in turn.

“Our lawmakers hope that. But the issue has not reached the party.”

The Chief Minister’s position is currently held by Samajbadi’s Lal Babu Raut.

KATHMANDU, Jan 7: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Rajendra Mahato has claimed that the selection of candidates for the National Assembly (NA) election was done in consensus.

His remarks come in the wake of the rumors that he and three other leaders Sarad Singh Bhandari, Raj Kishor Yadav and Anil Jha received Rs 30 million for naming pro-monarchy supporters Mrigendra Singh Yadav and Shekhar Singh as the candidates for the upcoming NA election.

The Election Commission has scheduled the NA Election for January 23.

“The candidates were picked in consensus and based on their qualification and contribution to the party,” Mahato told Reporters Club Nepal.

“The decision was taken as per the party policy and statue,” he added.

When inquired about the rumors, he said: “The accusations are not true. Is there any proof?”

The issue came to the light after leaders Mahanta Thakur and Mahendra Yadav expressed dissatisfaction over the nominations of Yadav and Singh.

However, RJPN General Secretary Keshav Jha, who was among the favorite to be picked for the NA election, also claimed the candidates were finalized in agreement among all six leaders of the presidium committee.

“This is the party’s decision. All the decisions are made in agreement among the presidium members,” he said.  

It may be noted that RJPN has forged alliance with the ruling Nepal Communist Party for the election.

KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Laxman Lal Karna has said that his party has no claims over the position of either the Speaker or the Deputy-speaker.

Speaking at a face-to-face interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday, leader Karna, however, said, his party will accept the position if they are offered one.

“Our party has no claim on the position of the Speaker or the Deputy. But if we are offered one, we are ready to take it,” he said.

He also denied the reports that the two-point agreement with the ruling party will affect the Province 2 government.

“The first point of the agreement has allocated seats while the second point states partnership between the two parties. The deal is for the upcoming National Assembly election,” he said.

The regional party and the ruling Nepal Communist Party shared a souring bond until the agreement after the RJPN withdrew its support given to the government in March last year saying the government failed to keep its promise of constitution amendment.

“The agreement with the ruling party has opened new doors for more understandings in the coming days. But, the deal does not mean we have claimed the positions of speaker and deputy speaker.”

When enquired about Jitendra Sonal who recently announced he would be next Chief Minister of Province 2, Karna said: “He is the minister and is capable of holding the post of CM. But we are not making changes in the provincial government anytime soon.”

KATHMANDU, Dec 21: Rashtriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) ( National People’s Party of Nepal) Coordinator Rajendra Mahato has ruled out the possibility of joining the government.

RJPN and the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on Wednesday reached a significant deal to support each other in a bid to sweep the upcoming National Assembly election.

The deal will reward the regional party at least two seats (from Province 2) in the upper house while the ruling party will get the remaining 16 seats. As per the deal, the NCP will support the candidates of RJPN in the open and people with physical disabilities quota while the latter, in exchange, will support the ruling party in women and Dalit quota.

“After the two-point deal, there have been speculations that RJPN is joining the government, which is not true,” said Mahato while speaking at a face-to-face interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Saturday.

However, Mahato hinted at possibilities of dialogues with the ruling party, eight months after it withdrew its support given to the government citing the ruling party failed to keep its promises of constitution amendment.

“There was a situation of discussion after we withdrew our support in March. But the two-point agreement has ended the deadlock,” he said.

“The deal will restart the negotiation between the NCP and the RJPN,” he added.

He also revealed that his party had held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Law Minister Upendra Yadav, who leads the Samajbadi Party, to form forge coalition among RJPN, Samajbadi and the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC).

“But after Yadav refused to form a coalition with NC, we turned to the ruling side,” he added.

“But, this coalition does not hint at RJPN participating in the federal government,” he reiterated.

“Neither will it affect the Province 2 government.”

“If the government takes our demands positively, which include constitution amendment, withdrawal of cases against our cadres, the release of former lawmaker Resham Chaudhary, we will be positive toward the government,” he furthered.

“Our support to the government depends on their response to our demands.”

He also took the occasion to clarify that RJPN is open to merger with Samajbadi Party.

The unification talks between the two parties have stalled for almost a year now after Yadav refused to pull out of the government as demanded by the RJPN.

The parties continue their strong disapproval toward the Constitution of Nepal which was promulgated in 2015. They have said that the constitution has failed to include the grievances of Madhesis and marginalized communities.

KATHMANDU: Ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and Rashtriya Janata Party Nepal (National People’s Party Nepal) have signed a two-point agreement.

The prime focus of the two parties in the agreement has been the National Assembly elections of Province 2 to be held on January 23, 2020.

According to the two-point agreement, the National Assembly election which is going to be held for 4 vacant positions will see NCP and RJPN help each other.

While the NCP will help RJPN in the seats for people with disabilities and minorities, the RJPN will help the NCP in the Women and Dalit seat.

In the second part of the agreement, both parties have agreed to discuss ways forward in critical national issues and provide support to one another.

The agreement was signed by former Prime Minister and NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and RJPN Convener Rajendra Mahato, current Prime Minister K.P.Sharma Oli was also a signatory to the agreement.

KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) lawmaker Pramod Sah has been released on general date.

A bench of justice Tej Narayan Paudel decided to release Sah on general date.

Sah was arrested on Tuesday from the Tribhuvan International Airport on the charge of his alleged involvement in vandalizing the Janakpur Airport.

He had lost his cool and vandalized the Buddha Air’s counter after his flight was delayed for two hours.

Dhanusha District Court had remanded Sah to four-day custody to carry out further investigation on Wednesday.

He was elected to the House of Representatives from Sarlahi-1 in 2017 elections.

KATHMANDU, Oct 16: The Dhanusha District Court has remanded Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) lawmaker Pramod Sah to four-day custody on Wednesday for further investigation.

Sah was arrested on Thursday from Tribhuvan International Airport VVIP lounge on the charge of vandalizing Buddha Air office at the Janakpur Airport a day before after the flight was delayed for two hours.

Meanwhile, the RJPN cadres have staged protests against Sah’s arrest in Janakpur and Birjung. They have demanded Sah be released immediately.

Earlier on Tuesday, RJPN Presidium member Rajendra Mahato expressed objection over Sah’s arrest saying the government was heading toward totalitarianism.

KATHMANDU, April 15: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) presidium member Raj Kishor Yadav said that his party will join force with the political parties having similar principles in their struggle against the government.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday, Yadav, also the former minister, said, “We continued supporting the government for a year. But, the we withdrew our support after the ruling Nepal Communist Party kept ignoring our demands.”

The disgruntled Madhes-based regional party in March officially withdrew its support given to the government days after their lawmaker Resham Lal Chaudhary, the main suspect of 2015 Tikapur massacre, was slapped with 10 years of imprisonment.  The party accused he government of failing to address their demands as per the agreement including constitution amendment, not releasing those arrested during Madhes and Tharuhat agitation, not withdrawing cases filed in courts against them and not helping them with medical treatment.

Asserting that the government has weakened the federal system, Yadav accused the ruling party working seriously to maintain peace, good governance and prosperity in the country despite commanding two-third majority in the House.

“The government must do homework to make people realize that they are doing a lot to make difference in people’s lives,” he said.

“Instead, the government is doing the opposite. They become aggressive toward the people and the party who put forth different opinion.”

“We are being united to pressure the government and make them aware of their current activities. We will join force with the parties carrying similar principle to make our struggle against the government result-oriented.”

He also shared that his party is fully busy preparing for the upcoming general convention.