Kathmandu: A new Madhesi party in Nepal was launched on Thursday, nearly a month after a split in the Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum-Democratic, the second largest partner in the ruling Maoist-led coalition.
Senior Madhesi leader Sharad Singh Bhandari today formally announced the new party, `Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party`, headed by him at the conclusion of the two day conclave of some 3,000 representatives from 27 districts mainly from the country`s southern plain.
Nine senior leaders including Bhandari were expelled from the MPRF-Democratic as chairman Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar last month took disciplinary action against them.
The action was taken after they opposed the Madhesi party`s decision to back Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai`s move to announce fresh polls slated for November 22.
Bhandari today made the new party`s name, flag and code of conduct public, at the end of a close door session of the national gathering of the ousted leaders held in Kathmandu`s city hall.
The party will soon form a 61-member Central Working Committee and the executive body will get full shape within a few days, Bhandari told journalists.
He further informed that party`s flag will have an image of half-rising sun in green and white background.
Bhandari said the party has been formed to guarantee rights of backward Madhesi people, women Dalit, Muslim and, indigenous community.
"There will be two terms for party chairman. Each term will be of five years," he added.
With the formation of the new party there are now 18 Madhesi based political parties functioning in the country, who are dedicated to the people representing the southern plains adjoining India.
PTI
