Amid growing differences with other constituents of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), the Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhawana Party is planning to form a separate alliance with other Madhes-based fringe parties. Earlier this week, other three SLMM members--Tarai Madhesi Loktantrik Party, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal and Tarai Madhesi Sadbhawana Party-- had asked Mahato to either leave the alliance or toe the Morcha’s line. They had censured Mahato for some of his remarks, which they said had dealt a blow to the Tarai agitation and described them as anti-Madhes.
Days before the Birgunj-Raxaul border reopened after remaining closed for 135 days, Mahato had said “there is no point continuing with border protests”. Mahato’s remarks had not gone down well with other SLMM constituents and their leaders, who are of the view that “the announcement was premature and was made without Morcha’s consent”. In this regard, they had even sought clarification from Mahato for his remarks. Sources say Mahato, who is unhappy with the Morcha, has now intensified informal discussions with leaders of the Sanghiya Samabeshi Madhesi Gathabandan and other fringe Madhes-based parties to form a separate alliance.
