Former front members clash

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Two former members of a three-party tarai front clashed in Nepalgunj Thursday sowing discord in the alliance ahead of the 10 April constituent assembly elections.
Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) youth leader Javed Siddiqui was seriously injured in a khukri assault by supporters of Madesh Janatantrik Front clashed.
Fighting erupted after three parties couldn’t present common candidates for elections in the terai.
Only TMPL and Rajendra Mahoto group of Nepal Sadbavana Party agreed to support each other in 40 of 116 constituencies; the division will divide votes for the front constituencies and increases electoral changes of Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists.
Three parties united in a fight against the government as they demanded self-determination and provincial rule to be taken up by the constituent assembly after the vote.
The fight demonstrated the difficulty in putting up common candidates as unity efforts still continue ahead of elections just 13 days away.
With increasing electoral violence, a controversial vote is becoming unlikely.
“I’m still doubtful a vote will take place,” Chairman Prachanda told an election rally in Siraha Thursday.
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