Nepal's Maoists, Madhesis form federal alliance
In a development with significant implications for the future direction of Nepali politics, the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), constituents of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), and several small Madhesi and Janjati outfits have come together to form a Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA).
The stated aim of the coalition is to strive for 'a constitution with federalism, and federalism with identity'.
The alliance was announced at an official function in the capital yesterday.
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is the coordinator of the alliance.
Explaining the political logic of the alliance, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (Democratic) general secretary, Jitendra Dev, said the key aim was to counter the attack on federalism by other forces.
When asked if this could also translate into an electoral alliance, Dev told The Hindu, “The aim right now is to put pressure on the Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) to accept identity based state restructuring before the polls. If that does not happen, we can even consider an electoral partnership.”
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