Kathmandu — Madhesh-centric parties, which are doing preliminary homework for a protest demanding the induction of 10,000 Madhesi youths into the Nepal Army, have also made the 'undeclared blockade' in the border area and the 100-rupee customs policy their major agendas. Discussions between the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal and the Janamat Party for a joint protest have moved in a positive direction. According to the information received, Janamat Party Chairman Dr. CK Raut is almost ready to go into the protest under the leadership of JSP Chairman Upendra Yadav.
Ultimatum to Government: Strong Protest if Demands Unfulfilled
According to Bikky Yadav, central committee member and chief of the Youth, Student, and Sports Department of JSP Nepal, the parties are strategizing to request the government in the first phase to implement past agreements rather than plunging directly into agitation.
"First, we will request the government and pressure it through various agitations to implement the agreements made by the Government of Nepal with the people," leader Yadav said, "If our demands are not fulfilled, preparations are underway to launch a strong protest." In addition, he clarified that the major demand to induct 10,000 Madhesis into the Nepal Army remains unchanged.
Protest Against 'Undeclared Blockade' at Border and Customs Policy
Lately, the parties have raised the issues seen in the border area as a new and serious agenda. Leader Yadav has accused the government of imposing an 'undeclared blockade' at the border. He pointed out that the supply of daily consumable goods is not smooth in many places of Madhesh and the Madhesi people are forced to go to India to buy household goods.
"It is not possible to travel 50 kilometers and pay customs duty just to buy some household goods," Yadav said. They have intense dissatisfaction over the closure of small customs checkpoints after the government introduced a policy making customs mandatory on Indian goods worth more than 100 rupees. Their demands include immediate reopening of the closed small customs, withdrawal of the 100-rupee customs policy, and alternative arrangements for smooth supply.
Political Suitability: 'When a Son of Madhesh is Prime Minister'
Continuous discussions are ongoing among JSP Nepal, Janamat Party, other stakeholders, and youths regarding all these issues. Since the current Prime Minister of the country is a person representing the land of Madhesh (son of Madhesh), the parties consider this situation highly favorable to address their years-old and daily livelihood demands.
It is understood that taking advantage of this political suitability, the joint front of Upendra Yadav and CK Raut is formulating a strategy to exert decisive pressure.
