Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJP) are close to formalizing electoral alliance. RJP General Secretary Manish Suman told Setopati that that the two parties are holding discussions in a way to formally announce electoral alliance by Tuesday.
He added that the alliance will be based on the basis of past performance, organizational base and popularity of candidates. "We are nearing alliance with FSFN. Both the parties are currently claiming for all the constituencies but we will make formal announcement by the evening or tomorrow by the latest," he stated.
FSFN leader Rajendra Shrestha said alliance with RJP is as good as public. He revealed that the two parties have agreed to provide tickets to FSFN candidates in 17 constituencies and RJP ones in other 15 in Province 2. He, however, made it clear that there will be no alliance with RJP in other provinces. "RJP does not have base in other provinces. Our alliance will, therefore, be only in Province 2," he added.
He said the party is also holding discussions with Nepali Congress (NC), and added that discussion with NC will move forward only after completing that with RJP.
The alliance of NC with FSFN and RJP, however, looks increasingly unlikely, according to sources. Both the sides are accusing the other of demanding an unreasonably high share of tickets. RJP General Secretary Suman said the party has held ideological discussions on alliance but have not entered ticket sharing in each constituency.
"NC demands every constituency. Where will we contest from if we give all the constituencies to NC?" he reasoned. "Talks with NC have not moved forward from that held during the initial days," he revealed.
Another general secretary of RJP Keshav Jha said the three parties have agreed in principle for electoral alliance and will make efforts for one with NC until the last hour.
