Leader's lust for power and Madhesh's emptiness

That is, the citizens of Madhesh view every activity here with suspicion. While the country went to federal structure, Madhesh should have been the most excited. More than 200 citizens of Madhesh have sacrificed their lives for the federal structure, while thousands are living with amputations. But why are the activities going on in Madhesh unable to appeal to the citizens here? Not only social, cultural but also the activities of political parties have increased in Madhesh. From major parties to Madhesh-centric new to old parties, they are growing in their own way in this race.

If we believe what the local political leaders and intellectuals say, after the failure of the third Madhesh movement in 2072, Tapka, who participated in the Madhesh movement, is somewhat paranoid about politics, while the local leaders of major parties are technically focused on elections. What is interesting is that after the failed third Madhesh movement, since the election of 2074, the command of Madhesh province is in the hands of the current Jaspa, led by Upendra Yadav. Jaspa has been in the leadership of Madhesh province for 6 years, despite frequent changes among fellow travelers.

Jaspa leader Lalbabu Raut, who was the chief minister of the state in the first term, has not been seen since the last election. Various anecdotes are in vogue in Janakpur and Madhesh about the current Chief Minister Saroj Yadav. As far as the scene is concerned, a group of Jaspa recently gave a memorandum to the current Chief Minister Yadav and expressed their displeasure with the work of the state government. The memorandum submitted under the leadership of Gyanendra Yadav, the Home Minister of the first Madhesh government and an influential leader of Jaspa, has 16 points of demand. However, at the end of last November, in the central committee meeting of Jaspa held in Lahan, Siraha, all the leaders of Jaspa raised questions about their own party's government. In response, Chairman Upendra said that after Chhath, he will think about it in a new way and move forward.

When his own party line is dissatisfied, the Chief Minister cannot give satisfaction to the citizens of Madhesh. Chief Minister Yadav came to Kathmandu with his ministers and warned the Prime Minister of the agitation with a one-month ultimatum to adjust the police force after receiving sharp criticism in the Siraha meeting of Jaspa. Perhaps because Upendra did not see the good condition of the Chief Minister in Madhesh, he formed a committee on behalf of the party to advise the state government under the leadership of former Chief Minister Raut. But its role has not been seen yet.

There are mixed opinions in Madhesh regarding the election defeat of Jaspa president. It was clear that Dhruvasatya gave him a true message. But Yadav took a policy of turning grief into power, and within a few months he was elected in a by-election from Bara. But contrary to the promise he made to the public and party lines after he was defeated in Saptari, he is now the deputy prime minister of the government.

The depressing political situation after the third Madhesh movement and the problems of the citizens who are suffering more depression in the 6 years of the Madhesh government have not been the same even after the ascension of Upendra. What is clear is that this ascension to power has made the leaders/activists defensive as well as common Madhesi. More questions have been raised about him because of the Forest Minister Nawalkishore Shah whom he made with him. Sah, who was sworn in as the Forest Minister, was in the Sadbhavana Party for a long time in Madhesh. Although there is no question about his political contribution, when he was the Minister of Social Affairs and Health in the first Madhesh government, one question after another was raised. It was an 'open secret' that the employees of the ministry consulted more with his sons.

The situation of the Chief Minister in Madhesh and the fact that Upendra himself at the center and Saha, who does not have a good image, have been made ministers, many questions have been raised about him. There is no mention of the Madhesh issue in the seven and eight point agreement that formed the new power coalition. Upendra did not get suggestions about whether to support the government or to send new people to sit outside the JSP executive meeting, which was sitting to take a decision about going to the government. But he participated in the government by devaluing even the party's suggestions.

In the case of Madhesh, there is always an example of damage done by the government, but it is clear that it is weakening the movement. Upendra, who was established by the rebellion that broke out in Madhesh due to the fact that federalism was not mentioned in the interim constitution of 2063, received the public support in the first Constituent Assembly of 2064, that situation is no longer there. The main reason for his downfall is power. During the first Constituent Assembly term, the Madhesi leader, who was focused on power, appeared in 2070. After the 2074 election, the leaders who regained their credibility with the 6-month movement of 2072 started to play for power again. Although no other Madhesi leaders joined the then UML and Maoist government, Yadav came to power alone. The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made him resign in an unlimited way from reshuffle of his ministry.

Jaspa's 6-year Madhesh government and Yadav's current ascension to power have also been questioned. The citizens of Madhesh are more disappointed with these latest developments. Which Yadav will face again. But no one is interested in the damage it is causing to Madhesh.