United Democratic Madhesi Front

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United Democratic Madhesi Front
संयुक्त लोकतान्त्रिक मधेसी मोर्चा
AbbreviationUDMF
LeaderMahantha Thakur
FounderTMLP
MJFN
Sadbhavana
IdeologyMadhesi rights
Federalism
Political positionCentre-left

United Democratic Madhesi Front (Nepali: संयुक्त लोकतान्त्रिक मधेसी मोर्चा, transliteration: Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha)was a political alliance of Madhesh-based political parties in Nepal created for the Madhes Movement. It was formed in 2008 by Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal, Nepal Sadbhavana Party and Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party.[1]

History[]

Madhesh Movement II (2007–08)[]

On 17 December 2007, Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal led by Upendra Yadav and Nepal Sadbhvana Party led by Rajendra Mahato announced a protest programme with a nine-point demand. The two parties announced three-week long joint agitation in the Terai region starting from 26 December.[2] The two-party alliance was initially known as the United Madhesi Front and called for the government to implement the 22-point demand that had been signed with MJFN in the first Madhesh movement.[3]

On 9 February 2008, the Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party joined the United Madhesi Front and the United Democratic Madhesi Front was formed. The front wanted the government to declare an autonomous Madhesh province in the Terai region of Nepal. The front also wanted the Election Commission Act be amended to increase inclusiveness of Madhesis, Janajatis and Dalits in state organs including the Nepal Army.[4][5]

On February 28, 2008, UDMF signed an 8-point deal with the government of Nepal, ending a 16-day general strike in the Tarai areas. The government and the front agreed to establish a federal democratic republic, declare an autonomous Madhesh, ensure proportional representation for marginalised communities in Nepal Army, declare the people killed in the agitation as martyrs and provide free medical treatment to the injured.[6] Through signing the deal, the UDMF agreed to participate in the Constituent Assembly election.[7] In June 2008, the three parties agreed to revive the front, following the holding of the election.[8]

Madhesh Movement III (2015–16)[]

See also: 2015 Nepal blockade

The UDMF was reformed by Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (Republican), Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal (Democratic), Nepal Sadbhawna Party, Rastriya Madhesh Samajbadi Party, Sadbhawana Party, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party and Terai Madhesh Sadbhavana Party. The alliance was formed against the proposed province demarcation by the major political parties. The alliance said that the proposed demarcation violated the previous agreements that had been signed between them during the first and second Madhesh movement that ensured a single Madhesh province.[9][10][11]

Forum Democratic was expelled from the alliance on 15 June 2015 after the party signed an agreement with the government.[12][13] The Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal later merged with Federal Socialist Party, Nepal and Khas Samabeshi Party to form Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal but stayed on as a member of the front.[14] The prolonged agitation in the Terai region that borders India also led to the 2015 Nepal blockade, the UDMF offered to lift the blockade only after their demands for constitution amendment was made.[15]

Elections (2017)[]

In early 2017, the alliance also protested the Local Level Restructuring Commission Report and the Constituency Delimitation Commission report accusing them of bias.[16] The alliance also announced a boycott of the 2017 local, general and provincial elections until their demands for constitutional amendment was met.[17][18] FSFN however contested the local elections though still demanded constitution amendment be made before the second phase of local elections.[19][20] Six of the seven constituents of the alliance, barring Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal, later merged to form the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal on 21 April 2017.[21][22] The constituents of RJPN which had boycotted the first two phases of the local election later participated in the third phase of local elections.[23]

Electoral performance[]

The parties did not have an electoral alliance for the 2008 and 2013 Constituent Assembly elections but the Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal had an electoral alliance for the 2017 general and provincial elections.

Legislative elections[]

Election Votes Seats Resulting government
# % +/- # +/-
2008 1,184,774 11.04 —
81 / 575
 — Maoist–UML–MJFN–Sadbhavana–JMN–CPN (United)
2013 1,005,168 10.62 Decrease 0.42
49 / 575
 Decrease 32 Congress–UML
2017 942,455 9.88 Decrease 0.74
33 / 275
 Decrease 16 UML–Maoist

Provincial elections[]

Province Election Votes Seats Resulting government
# % #
Province No. 1 2017 127,818 7.36
4 / 93
 UML–Maoist
Province No. 2 602,596 39.2
54 / 107
 FSFN–RJPN
Province No. 5 132,677 8.23
6 / 87
 UML–Maoist

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Sharma, Gopal (2008-02-18). "Ethnic groups threaten to boycott Nepal polls". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  2. ^ "Madhesi Front warns of 'decisive' movement". 2008-12-01. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  3. ^ "Eastern Terai hit hard by strike, security beefed up in Nepalgunj ahead of SPA meet". archive.is. 2007-06-17. Archived from the original on 2007-06-17. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  4. ^ Pyakurel, Uddhab; Studies, Institute of Peace and Conflict (2013). "Nepal's Politics:: After the Peace Agreement": 17–24. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "Three Madhesi parties form new alliance; announce stir". archive.is. 2007-06-17. Archived from the original on 2007-06-17. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  6. ^ JHA, HARI BANSH (2012). "The Economics Of Peace, A Nepalese Perspective". World Affairs: The Journal of International Issues. 16 (3): 132–151. ISSN 0971-8052. JSTOR 48504942.
  7. ^ "Govt, UDMF seal a deal; agitation withdrawn". 2008-10-12. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  8. ^ "Madhesi Front to be reactivated". 2008-07-02. Archived from the original on 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  9. ^ "Like We Are Not Nepali". Human Rights Watch. 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  10. ^ "Madhesi front announces stir". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  11. ^ Rai, Om Astha. "Cracks in the Madhesi front | Nation | Nepali Times". archive.nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  12. ^ "Gachhadar expelled from Madhesi alliance". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  13. ^ "Disgruntled over 16-point agreement, Madhesi Morcha 'severs ties' with Gachhadar-led MJF-D". The Himalayan Times. 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  14. ^ "Three parties merge to become Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal". Ekantipur. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  15. ^ Jaiswal, Pramod (2016). "Nepal". Ipcs Forecast 2016: 33–35.
  16. ^ Republica. "LLRC report unacceptable without revision: UDMF". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  17. ^ Sharma, Gopal (2017-02-20). "Nepal to hold first local elections in 20 years: minister". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  18. ^ Republica. "Madheshi Front to boycott elections without constitution amendment: Bhandari". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  19. ^ Sedhai, Roshan. "Upendra Yadav-led FSFN to contest local polls". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  20. ^ Republica. "FSFN demands constitution amendment in between two-round elections". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  21. ^ Republica. "UDMF parties agree in principle to merge". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  22. ^ "Six UDMF constituents merge". The Himalayan Times. 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  23. ^ "RJPN agrees to partake in the third-phase local level elections". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
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