Madhes-based parties remain open to forge alliance with both Nepali Congress (NC) and the left alliance for the upcoming National Assembly election.
Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJP) leader Keshav Jha told Setopati that the left alliance and Madhes-based parties talked Tuesday morning about alliance for National Assembly election in Province 2. He added that the leaders will again meet at three in the afternoon after they failed to reach any conclusion in the morning.
RJP and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) are talking with even NC for alliance for National Assembly elections. The two parties had agreed for sharing the seven provincial chiefs appointed last week with NC. Ratneshwar Lal Kayastha of FSFN was appointed chief of Province 2 and Uma Kanta Jha of RJP for Province 5 as a result.
"We will also talk with NC after the meeting with left alliance scheduled for 3 pm ends. We have yet to decide about the time for meeting with NC," Mahesh Chaurasiya, press advisor to FSFN Chairman Upendra Yadav, said. "We are currently holding internal meeting of our party," he added.
An NC leader told Setopati that the party has proposed to give four seats to FSFN and RJP from Province 2.
CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said alliance with Madhes-based parties has yet to be decided as the two parties are still negotiating with NC. "We are holding discussion. But they are in confusion. They are also talking with NC," Gyawali stated.
Sources said the Madhes-based parties are demanding six out of the eight seats from the province. "Alliance with the left alliance is important as it is not just for National Assembly and is connected with even constitutional amendment," RJP leader Jha said.
The parties are holding internal meetings to finalize candidates for National Assembly elections.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Wednesday for filing nominations.
