Janata Party and Samajbadi Party register private constitution amendment bill of their own: The regional parties propose amendments to 23 issues that are aimed at addressing the long-standing concerns of the Madhesis, Tharus and Janajatis, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 02/06/2020)

Madhes-based parties press own demands alongside constitution amendment for new map: While there’s no debate on an issue of national importance, the constitutional amendment bill could be an opportune moment to address long-standing demands of Madhesis, Janajatis and Tharus, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 24/05/2020) [The clarification of territorial claims is certainly important and decades overdue, but the inclusion of population groups that have been excluded for centuries, even under the constitution of 2015, is even more significant, a fact that the male Bahun at the head of the state and parties do not want to understand. It is problematic, however, that the leadership of the ethnic and regional parties is also exclusively male!]

What is CK Raut doing now?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 15/05/2020)

RJP and Samajbadi merge to form ‘Janata Samajbadi Party’ (kh 22/04/2020), Unity of the two Madhesi parties could be hamstrung by a lack of coherence among their leaders: Analysts are wary of welcoming the unification of the two Madhes-based parties as they see it as a reactive move rather than a unity born out of shared agendas, by Anil Giri (kp 28/04/2020)

Laxman Tharu’s health deteriorates (ht 17/02/2020)

With no signal from the government, Janata Party reconsiders merger with Samajbadi Party: Janata Party has preconditions to joining government but with talks stalled, an alliance with the Samajbadi party could preserve the coalition in Province 2, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 12/02/2020) [It's the only reasonable option either! The ruling NCP will neveer respect the inclusion demands of Janajati and Madheshi groups!]

Much ado about nothing: Madhesi parties should shed off their Madhesiness and become part of national politics by joining any of the national parties they consider will have clout to push for Madhesi agenda, by Sukhdev Shah (rep 28/01/2020) [None of the two big national parties ist interested to support this agenda!]

‘SP-N,  RJP-N unity can happen in two days’, interview with Upendra Yadav (ht 30/12/2019)

Unification between Samajbadi Party and RJPN unlikely soon, by Mithilesh Yadav(rep 29/12/2019)

Samajbadi Party may have quit government but it doesn’t seem to have a way forward: Although party leaders say they will mount an opposition, analysts believe that the party is unlikely to win support from Congress or Janata Party, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 28/12/2019)

Janata Party likely to get Deputy Speaker as part of a broader package deal: The party is demanding constitutional amendments and the release of its cadres, which the ruling party is likely to provide as it looks to expand into Province 2, by Anil Giri and Binod Ghimire (kp 26/12/2019) [Do the RJP-N leaders really serve the interests of the social groups they claim to respresent?], No question of joining govt, says Mahato (ht 26/12/2019)

Samajbadi Party exits government to little effect on the Oli administration: National politics will remain relatively unaffected, but there could be repercussions in Province 2, analysts say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 25/12/2019), Upendra Yadav’s party quits govt: Deputy Prime Minister Yadav, Minister Rai submit resignation (ht 25/12/2019), Yadav’s party quits govt after PM rejects panel to study amendment (rep 25/12/2019)

RJPN lobbies for Deputy Speaker as its bonhomie with NCP grows (rep 25/12/2019)

Rastriya Janata Party, despite withdrawing support for government, joins in electoral alliance with ruling party: The electoral alliance is aimed solely at preserving its National Assembly seats, say Janata Party leaders, but commentators believe it will have consequences, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 20/12/2019)

Mahato advises Yadav to quit government (ht 25/11/2019)

Raut’s party holds mass rally in capital against ‘discrimination’ (rep 24/11/2019)

Rastriya Janata Party and Samajbadi Party eye electoral alliance for November 30 polls: The Janata Party will support the Samajbadi Party for three provincial assembly and a federal parliament seat, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 09/11/2019)

‘SP-N must quit govt to unify with RJP-N’ (ht 24/10/2019)

Janajati, Madhesi forces seek to revive identity-based movement: The KP Sharma Oli administration has undermined the rights and privileges of marginalised communities, leaders say, by Anil Giri (kp 21/10/2019)

RJPN may postpone general convention yet again: Most of the presidium members are in favor of buying time until the conclusion of the ongoing merger talks with the Samajwadi party (rep 19/10/2019)

RJP-N, SP-N to hold unity talks after Dashain (ht 05/10/2019)

RJP-N rider for unification with SP: Quit govt (ht 26/09/2019)

SP-N to neither celebrate nor protest Constitution Day, RJP-N set to oppose (ht 17/09/2019), Madhes-based parties divided over Constitution Day (rep 18/09/2019)

Samajbadi Party, a partner in the Oli government, says it won’t observe Constitution Day: Leaders say the party will talk to the prime minister one more time before quitting the government, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 10/09/2019)

Second-rung leaders of Madhes-based parties call for general convention before merger (rwp 04/09/2019)

Infighting deepens as RJPN weighs options (rep 02/09/2019), Internal conflict in Rastriya Janata Party delays unification process: Informal talks for unification have gained momentum to create a strong alternative force to compete with both Congress and Communist parties, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 03/09/2019)

RJP-N, SP-N likely to merge before their general conventions, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 17/08/2019)

SPN, RJPN merger heading nowhere (rep 28/07/2019)

RJPN working on Madhesi-Janajati protest alliance (rep 23/07/2019)

Mahato accuses SPN of taking 'dubious stance' on merger (rep 19/07/2019)

Leadership issues hamper unification talks between Samajbadi Party Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal: Leaders say they have been working to settle the issue through dialogue, and talks will intensify once leaders return from flood-affected districts, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 17/07/2019) [It's always the same because Nepal only has power-hungry leaders, not charismatic ones!]

NC, RJPN join hands against govt (rep 11/07/2019)

RJPN, SPN in informal talks for merger (rep 02/07/2019), RJP-N, SP-N intensify merger talks: Analysts sceptical  unity will materialise any time soon, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 07/07/2019)

Samajbadi Party MP Yadav suspended for attending free Tibet programme: The party’s central executive committee has decided to suspend Yadav for six months after finding his clarification for attending the controversial event in the Latvian capital Riga ‘unsatisfactory’, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 26/06/2019)

RJPN bats for alliance with ethnic parties to revive identity movement (rep 25/06/2019)

Presidium system to be scrapped (ht 20/05/2019), RJPN decides to amend party statute to save its constitutional status: Decision follows the party's failure to hold general convention within the deadline given by the Election Commission (rep 20/05/2019)

Govt against statute amendment: Bhandari (ht 12/05/2019)

Bhattarai, Yadav agree to merge parties to form Samajbadi Party Nepal: Two leaders to head federal council and central committee, insiders say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/05/2019), FSF-N, NSP-N parties unify New political entity will be named Samajwadi Party Nepal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 05/05/2019), FSFN, Naya Shakti to merge as Samajbadi Party Nepal, by Ashok Dahal (rep 05/05/2019), Bhattarai, Yadav launch Samajbadi Party in bid to create an alternative force: Analysts doubt the new political outfit can make much of an impact, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 07/05/2019), Bhattarai, Yadav form new party, by Roshan S Nepal (ht 07/05/2019)

FSFN-NSP merger deal stalled as Bhattarai demands Yadav quit govt (rep 02/05/2019), In quest for the ‘third force’, Bhattarai and Yadav discuss party merger: Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal and Janamukti Nepal also join talks, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 03/05/2019)

Raut applies for party registration (rep 29/04/2019)

RJP-N to launch  nationwide protest against government (ht 27/04/2019)

RJP-N gears up for protests (ht 11/04/2019), RJP-N postpones its national convention: Party has called a meeting of office-bearers on April 21 to decide another date, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 12/04/2019)

RJP-N seeking ‘excuse’ to postpone national convention: Three senior leaders pressing the presidium to take decision through meeting of political committee, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 07/04/2019)

RJPN and FSFN revive merger process (rep 21/03/2019)

RJP-Nepal gears up for anti-government protest, by Abadhesh Kumar Jha (kp 09/03/2019)

Resham Chaudhary and ten others sentenced to life for 2015 Tikapur violence: Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal objects to Kailali District Court’s order, pulls out support from the government immediately after the ruling, by Arjun Shaha (kp 07/03/2019) [Politicians obviously see criminals within their parties as immune against punishment!]

Yadav at the helm of RJP-Nepal presidium, by Tika Ram Pradhan (kp 20/01/2019)

Govt begins amendment discussions with Madhes parties: Prime Minister Oli has promised to study the possibility of withdrawing cases against those RJPN cadres who are currently serving jail-term, according to RJPN leaders (rep 05/01/2019) [Such legal matters do not fall within the decision-making scope of the executive! The separation of powers is an essential characteristic of a democratic constitutional state!]

Festering row threatens delay to RJP-N conclave: The dispute has reached new levels of hatred, with  one faction resorting to burning the effigy of  party chief Rajendra Mahato, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 31/12/2018)

Oli positive aboutaddressing RJP-N demands, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 26/12/2018)

Khambuwan gives up arms, enters into peaceful politics, by Bedraj Paudel (kp 23/12/2018), Khambuwan Mukti Morcha surrenders arms (rep 23/12/2018)

Will FSF-N, RJP-N merger happen?, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 23/12/2018)

Sanghiya Samajbadi forms talks team: To hold dialogue with RJP-Nepal, Naya Shakti Nepal, Janamukti Party, and Hamro Communist Party, among others, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 10/12/2018)

Sanghiya Samajbadi likely to hold general convention in May (kp 07/12/2018)

Rotating leadership pushes RJPN to brink of split: Party to withdraw support from govt (rep 29/11/2018), Intra-party rift in RJP-N widens (ht 29/11/2018), RJP-N conflict deepens after Mahato takes charge, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 02/12/2018)

Madhes-based parties dogged by internal rifts: RJP-N and SSF-N have put their electoral agendas on the back burner due to internal wranglings, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 28/11/2018)

Rajendra Mahato to helm RJP-N presidium from today, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 21/11/2018)

RJP-N renews call for statute amendment: Warns of struggle to press the government to honour its commitment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 14/11/2018)

RJP-N to retain presidium even after party conclave (kp 29/10/2018)

Cadres miffed at RJP-N’s decision on presidium (ht 11/10/2018)

SSF-N: No decision on staging black day (kp 18/09/2018)

Court issues arrest warrant against Prov 2 state minister (kp 12/08/2018)

RJPN picks absconding murder- accused as state minister (rep 24/07/2018) (related to Province 2) [???? His arrest has already been ordered by the SC!]

The reign of error: The govt should use its majority to do good, not undermine academic autonomy, by Pramod Mishra (kp 19/07/2018)

Gachhadar threatens to quit NC (ht 10/07/2018)

RJP-N likely to choose PP leader on Saturday (ht 10/07/2018), RJP-N to elect PP leader on Saturday (kp 11/07/2018), RJPN may pick PP leader through vote Saturday (rep 12/07/2018), Mahantha Thakur is RJP-N PP leader, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 15/07/2018)

RJP-N meeting ends indecisive (kp 08/07/2018)

RJP-N yet to pick its PP leader (kp 30/06/2018)

Messiah or pariah? Yadav’s recent move to join the government could cost him dear, by Suman Kumar Mandal (kp 22/06/2018)

RJP-N to drop presidium, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 22/06/2018), Key meeting fails to decide on PP leader (kp 22/06/2018)

RJP-N to hold General Convention next April (kp 21/06/2018) [Political parties fundamentally disregard the constitution and subordinate laws!], RJP-N’s general convention from April 20 to 22 (ht 21/06/2018)

RJP-N meeting mulls joining central govt, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 19/06/2018), Dissolve presidium, upset leaders urge, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 20/06/2018)

RJPN expedites preparations to hold convention within six months (rep 13/06/2018)

RJP-N won’t join govt now: Mahato (kp 11/06/2018)

Yadav refutes merger reports with NCP (kp 08/06/2018)

Confusion in RJP-N over party establishment day (kp 07/06/2018), EC to RJP-N: Hold national convention within July 14 (kp 08/06/2018), RJPN wants six months to hold general convention: The Election Commission had written to the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal on Thursday, reminding the party to hold general convention by July 14 (rep 09/06/2018) [This falls under the normal category of disregarding constitution and subordinate laws!]

RJPN brass divided over joining govt (rep 06/06/2018)

SSF-N gears up to join government, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 28/05/2018), FSF-N to join NCP-led govt (ht 28/05/2018), After deal, SSF-N to join fed govt: Ruling party vows constitution amendment, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 29/05/2018), Alliance over: RJP-N (ht 29/05/2018), FSF-N joined govt after NCP vowed to amend statute: Yadav (ht 01/06/2018), RJPN leaders hint at change in power equation in Province 2 (rep 01/06/2018), SSF-Nepal joins govt: Upendra Yadav and Mohamed Istiyak Rai inducted; Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel promoted to DPM after Yadav claimed the position; State Minister Gokul Baskota now Cabinet minister (kp 02/06/2018)

Four ethnic parties to unite (ht 27/05/2018)

RJP-N panel to meet on June 8 (kp 24/05/2018)

RJPN may join govt if amendment pledged (rep 24/05/2018)

Modi’s silence on statute leaves Madhesi parties in quandary (rep 15/05/2018)

RJP-N hosts tea reception to mark first founding anniversary (ht 21/04/2018), 33 RJP-N rebels form new party (kp 21/04/2018), Dissident RJPN leaders form new party (rep 21/04/2018), State of flux: The RJPN, which brought together eight Madhesi  parties before polls, needs to reinvent for survival (kp 23/04/2018), Leaders’ absence delays RJP-Nepal meeting (kp 24/04/2018)

Chances of FSF-N joining govt slim, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 16/04/2018)

No meeting with left alliance since one month: Yadav (rep 11/04/2018)

Karna to draft RJP-N statute (kp 06/04/2018)

RJP-N general convention shifted to October (ht 02/04/2018)

SSF-N to join govt after premier returns: Party awaits prime minister’s call, says Yadav (kp 02/04/2018)

Madhesi parties not to join next govt until constitution amendment assurance: UML’s refusal to amend the constitution led the Madhes-centric parties to ally with the NC for the National Assembly polls (kp 25/01/2018)

RJP-N weighing options for ‘long-term’ alliance (kp 22/01/2018)

EC accepts ‘faulty’ RJP-N PR candidate list, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 25/12/2017)

‘Madhesi alliance to work with forces supportive of Madhes issues’ (ht 21/12/2017)

FSFN, RJPN into unification bid, provincial govt formation, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 14/12/2017), Yadav rules out FSF-N and RJP-N unity (ht 15/12/2017), RJP-N, FSF-N to hold unity talks soon (ht 22/12/2017)

Yadav pledges to continue struggle after elections (ht 13/12/2017)

Ethnic parties losing grip in eastern Nepal, by Roshan S. Nepal and Laxmi Gautam (ht 22/11/2017)

No deal yet with FSF-N, RJP-N: NC, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 29/10/2017)

FSF-N, RJP-N close to deal (ht 28/10/2017)

NLF faction to support Yadav’s SSFN (kp 26/10/2017)

RJP-N leaders stage sit-in demanding PR list correction (kp 19/10/2017)

FSFN, RJPN hope for better showing in upcoming polls (ht 18/10/2017)

To ally or not to ally: Congress needs Madhesbadi parties for its very survival while these parties can do without such an alliance with NC, by Hari Bansh Jha (rep 18/10/2017)

Madhes parties, NC to join forces against left bloc (kp 17/10/2017)

Partnership hinges on NC’s generosity: Yadav (kp 13/10/2017), Sadbhawana Party, RJP-N to ally with NC in Udaypur (ht 13/10/2017)

NDF likely to merge with Nepali Congress (ht 10/10/2017) [Everything forgiven and forgotten that has been so important in 2007??], NDF prepared to merge with Congress (ht 14/10/2017), Congress, NLF to seal unification deal today (kp 16/10/2017), NDF’s merger with NC postponed at the last minute (ht 16/10/2017), A homecoming for Gachhadar: NLF, NC merge to ‘stop rise of authoritarianism, save democracy and ensure broader acceptance of statute’ (kp 17/10/2017), NDF merges with NC (ht 17/10/2017)

SSF-N, RJP-N form alliance for upcoming polls (kp 07/10/2017), RJPN, FSFN to share constituencies 50-50 in Madhes (rep 07/10/2017), SFN-RJPN poll alliance brings excitement to Madhes: The Nepali Congress won most seats in the recent local elections in Province 2 but the votes secured by FSFN and RJPN together add up to more than NC's vote, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 08/10/2017)

All eyes on which way FSFN will go (rep 06/10/2017)

Madhesi Parties And Mainstream Politics, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 05/10/2017)

Gachhadar’s NLF to recall two ministers (kp 05/10/2017)

Five dissent leaders of RJP-N join hands with UML (kp 03/10/2017), Tripathi, four Madhesi leaders to contest polls with CPN-UML’s election symbol (ht 03/10/2017), Quitting of senior RJPN leaders creates ripples in Province-5, by Kalendra Sejuwal (rep 09/10/2017), When dreams sag: The surrender of Bhattarai-Dahal duo stole the thunder from the act of Messrs Brijesh Kumar Gupta and Hridayesh Tripathi throwing down their gauntlets into Tinau River, by CK Lal (rep 09/10/2017)

RJP-N in talks with SSF-N for tie-up (kp 26/09/2017)

Poll alliance with like-minded parties: RJP-N (kp 26/09/2017)

Between a rock and a hard place: The task of carrying on protests will be difficult for Madhes-based parties after the loss of popular ground, by Birendra P. Mishra (kp 26/09/2017) [??? The boycott of local elections by the RJP-N has been undemocratic and it was a big mistake! But in province 2, the 3 main Madheshi/Janajati parties together have probably won 54 mayor positions, i.e. 15 more than the closest big party, the NC! The CPN-UML has been punished severely for its one-sided stance on national identity that continues to disregard the interests of the Madheshis, Janajatis and Dalits, i.e. the majority of the Nepalese citizens. Boycotts and blockades are the wrong way, but there is a lot to change in the political system beginning with the constitution!!],

Rift in RJPN hits poll campaigns (rep 13/09/2017)

UML has lost moral ground to seek votes, says Yadav (ht 12/09/2017)

Province 2 polls a litmus test for Madhes parties, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 11/09/2017)

RJP-N manifesto lashes out at Maoist Centre (kp 08/09/2017)

Yadav threatens agitation after local level polls (ht 08/09/2017)

RJP-N Gen Secy Raya quits (kp 06/09/2017)

RJPN fails to finalize candidates for 22 local units (rep 06/09/2017)

RJP-N takes exception to new constituencies, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 02/09/2017)

Two Limbuwan leaders face party axe (ht 30/08/2017)

RJP-N cadres protest UML programme in Janakpur (ht 30/08/2017)

RJP-N to raise issue of development in third phase of local polls, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 26/08/2017)

Poll backers outweigh in RJP-N meet (kp 23/08/2017)

Existential crisis: With an electoral rout of small Madhesi parties in Province 2, the struggle for separate Madhes province or Madhesi-only province would be meaningless, by Sukhdev Shah (rep 20/08/2017)

RJP-N Returns To Sanity, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 13/08/2017), RJPN and elections: Participation important, by Hari Bansh Jha (ht 14/08/2017)

RJP-Nepal agrees to take part in Phase III local polls: Constitution  amendment bill to be put to vote most likely on Tuesday, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 12/08/2017), Amendment bill to be put to vote soon: RJP-Nepal to take part in Province 2 local level polls (ht 12/08/2017)

Yadav roots for provincial polls before parliamentary elections (ht 12/08/2017)

Pleasure Of Self-infliction, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn 11/08/2017)

A ‘weakened’ RJP says its agenda still alive: Difference of opinions among the leaders shows the RJP-N is yet to become an organically united force, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 03/08/2017), Thakur presents RJP-N’s political document: Party not to participate in elections till constitution amendment bill is passed (ht 03/08/2017) [Go to the elections with all your demands to get democratic legimisation! Else, you will disqualify yourself from participation in all future discussions!], Internal dispute in RJP-N hits its decision on polls (kp 05/08/2017), Majority of RJP-N leaders in favour of boycotting polls (ht 06/08/2017), Intra-party rift widens in RJPN: Second-rung leaders have shunned regular party activities (rep 06/08/2017), RJP-N teams to talk about polls (kp 07/08/2017), RJP-N decides to boycott civic polls: To announce protest programmes after a week (ht 09/08/2017) [In a democratic state, no political party has any right to act without the people's mandate!!]

RJPN rift deepens ahead of crucial meets: Leaders threaten to quit party en masse, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 30/07/2017)

Pressure builds within RJPN for poll participation (rep 26/07/2017)

The missed bus? If RJP-N boycotts the third phase of local polls, it risks further alienating its constituents, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp 23/07/2017), Province 2 to see little dev activities this year: Local level election is precondition to utilising funds allocated for capital expenditure, by Aman Koirala (kp 23/07/2017) [Thanks to RJPN!]

‘No statute amendment before polls’ (ht 22/07/2017)

RJPN calls CC meet to resolve disputes (rep 21/07/2017), RJP-N to hold first central body meeting from Aug 5 (kp 22/07/2017)

Dispute in RJP-N Morang (ht 19/07/2017)

Third time unlucky: There is a chance most Madhesi parties will go out of business, which could help Madhesi public unite behind a common cause, by Sukhdev Shah (rep 18/07/2018)

RJP-Nepal not in favour of naturalised citizens holding top posts: Thakur (ht 17/07/2017)

Governing alliance in bid to address RJP-N’s other demands (kp 16/07/2017), RJP’s Demand For Multi-nation State: A Recipe For Territorial Disintegration, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 16/07/2017), RJP-N to discuss next move in CC or CWC (ht 16/07/2017)

Ruling alliance rules out statute revision: Makes it clear to RJP-Nepal leaders that it lacks required numbers (kp 12/07/2017), Bill unlikely to be passed ‘any time soon’ (ht), CPN-UML refuses to budge from its stance on statute (ht 12/07/2017), RJP-Nepal in a fix after statute revision ruled out:Party mulling various options: Leaders (kp 13/07/2017)

Election fervor returns as RJPN mulling to register party, by Ritesh Tripathi (rep 07/07/2017), RJP-N applies at EC for party registration: Governing parties seek one week to make efforts to address concerns (kp 08/07/2017)

RJPN candidate wins elections, by Kiran Man Bajracharya (rep 06/07/2017)

Dissatisfaction brewing in RJP-Nepal? Tripathi threatens to quit party (kp 04/07/2017) [Refusing to ask for the people's mandate leaves this party as an unimportant lot without democratic legitimisation!], RJPN in confusion over next step: RJPN fielded candidacies in more than 20 local units including in Rupendehi and Kapilvastu but has not won even a single seat until fourth day of the vote count on Monday (rep 04/07/2017), East-West power tussle grips RJPN after poll debacle (rep 05/07/2017), Dwindling Influence Of RJP-N, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 06/07/2017), Rift in RJP-N on contents of party statute: Plan to register with EC deferred, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 06/07/2017)

Gachchhadar, Yadav maintain influence in their regions, by Amar Khadka (rep 04/07/2017)

RJP-N says won’t resort to violence (kp 28/06/2017), RJPN in confusion over next step: RJPN fielded candidacies in more than 20 local units including in Rupendehi and Kapilvastu but has not won even a single seat until fourth day of the vote count on Monday (rep 04/07/2017)

In a fix: RJP-N’s ambivalence over second phase of local polls shows deeply divided Madhesi constituency (kp 26/06/2017), Why RJP So Lethargic?, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km 26/06/2017)

Cheated and silenced, the voters in the Terai will go to the polls with a heavy heart, by Anurag Acharya (The Record 25/06/2017)

RJP-Nepal will withdraw support to govt: Tripathi; Govt charged with stoking the conflict by deploying the Army in the plains on the pretext of polls (kp 24/06/2017)

Identity politics peters out in eastern hills, by Durga Dulal and Bhim Chapagain (rep 24/06/2017))

Moderating with moderates, by Chandra Kishor (nt 23/06/2017)

Immature Step Of RJP, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 21/06/2017)

Ongoing election meaningless, say RJP-Nepal leaders (kp 20/06/2017), Supreme Court summons RJP-N and govt for discussions on Thursday (ht 20/06/2017)

Who is lying? Democracy and federalism can be sustained only in an environment of political trust and transparency; If the govt often feels betrayed by the RJP-N, or the RJP-N finds that the govt ‘misleads’ the public, why can’t they agree to negotiate issues of public importance in the presence of the media, the civil society or the public in general?, by Achyut Wagle (kp 19/06/2017), Doubtful deferral: It would be wrong to blame only the RJPN for Province 2 delay. Congress is as responsible, by David Kainee (rep 19/06/2017), ‘Phase III poll as suggested by agitating forces’ (ht) [Did they really suggest it in this way?], No Shift In Position Fuelling The Fire, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn 19/06/2017), Polls ‘undemocratic’, say RJP-N leaders, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 19/06/2017)

5 RJP-N activists injured in Parasi police firing, by Narayan Sharma (kp 18/06/2017), Three RJP-N cadres injured in police firing in Nawalparasi (ht 18/06/2017), Mahato demands polls across Tarai in single phase (ht 18/06/2017), Deuba meets RJP-N leader (kp 18/06/2017)

Madhes forces in poll race (kp 18/06/2017)

RJP-N’s tough stance stokes political crisis, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 17/06/2017) [Why do you not write: CPN-UML's tough stance on necessary constitutional changes stokes polical crisis? The RJP-N's bad and in the same way undemocratic behaviour is only a reaction!], RJP-N says protests on (kp 17/06/2017), Dispute in RJPN over continuing with protests: Decides to press on with protests amid disgruntlement (rep 17/06/2017), FA to keep protesting against local level polls: FA will hold baton rallies in Madhes and Tharuhat on Saturday and impose general strike in Madhes on Sunday, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 17/06/2017), Holding Local Polls Still A Challenge, by Kushal Pokharel (rn 17/06/2017), India ‘firm’ on inclusive constitution in Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp 17/06/2017)

RJP In Existential Crisis, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn 16/06/2017)

RJP-N ups ante, says it will disrupt polls: Announces protests after negotiations with ruling parties break down, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 12/06/2017), RJP-N cadres protest against Upendra Yadav, by Aman Koirala (kp 12/06/2017), RJP-N supporters disrupt CPN-UML programme (kp 12/06/2017), Deuba committing blunder, says Mahato (ht 12/06/2017), Tight security for FSF-N programme (ht 12/06/2017), Agitators stick to amendment demand (rep 12/06/2017)), Federal Alliance announces protests to disrupt polls, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 12/06/2017), Running away from polls is cowardice: Yadav, by Santosh Singh (rep 12/06/2017), Madheshi Leaders For Protests, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km 12/06/2017), RJP-N general strike affects life in various Tarai districts (kp 14/06/2017), RJP’s Tantrums May Backfire, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 14/06/2017) [The party will fall into oblivon if it does not take part in the elections since it will have nothing to say on the local level for the next five years!], Yadav: Protests will rob Madhesis of right to vote (kp 14/06/2017), RJP-N forms committee (kp 14/06/2017)

Family, ethnic ties decisive in tarai polls, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 12/06/2017)

Gachhadar suggests 3rd phase vote in Province 2 (kp 12/05/2017)

Ruling alliance rejects RJP-N’s poll delay call, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 11/06/2017), 3-party talks on poll participation fail yet again: Deuba requests RJPN leaders to take part in polls; RJPN says participation impossible until demands are met;NC rejects proposal to defer polls yet again , by Roshan Sedhai (rep 11/06/2017), RJP-N says it won’t participate in polls till key demands met: The party wants constitution amendment bill passed and more local levels in Madhes, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 11/06/2017)

Sarita Giri joins forces with Upendra Yadav (kp 10/06/2017)

RPP, SSF-N back Deuba’s bid: RJP-Nepal likely to extend support after possible deal on its demands; SSF-N Chair Yadav says his party has decided to vote forDeuba after being assured of constitution amendment (kp (05/06/2017), RJP-N secretly preparing for upcoming civic polls (ht 05/06/2017), RJP-N ‘ready’ for polls with one of six vote symbols: Election officials say the demanded symbol - umbrella - cannot be given to the united party as ballot papers have already been printed and delivered to the districts, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 06/06/2017), Rift surfaces in RJP-N over registration for polls (ht 06/06/2017), RJP-Nepal, FSF-N back NC president (ht 07/06/2017), RJPN may take part in polls (rep 07/06/2017), RJP-Nepal leaders, cadres quit party (ht 07/06/2017)

RJP-N viewed as strong contender in the plains, by Aman Koirala (kp 02/06/2017)

RJP-Nepal reschedules its protests (kp 01/06/2017), SSF-N Chair Yadav lashes out at RJP-N (kp 01/06/2017), Election code should be suspended for some time, interview with Manish Suman, general secretary of RJPN (rep 01/06/2017)

RJP-N welcomes govt decision to defer polls: Announced protest programme to continue until demands addressed, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 30/05/2017), Madhesi parties preparing for polls, RJPN still undecided, by Chhatra Karki and Ajit Tiwari (rep 30/05/2017), More needs to be done: RJPN leaders (rep 30/05/2017), RJP-N fallen between two stools? Differences within the party stalling decision on its participation in local elections: Some leaders within the RJP-N are for finding ‘a political way out’ and going to polls while others say participating in the polls without government addressing their demands would mean losing face with the constituencies, by Anil Giri (kp 31/05/2017), RJP-N stages sit-in at poll office: 32 cadres of the party held; protest to continue till they are released (ht 31/05/2017), Indian envoy advises RJPN to go to polls (rep 31/05/2017)

Gathabandhan ups the ante: Announces protests aimed at foiling June 14 election; The RJP-N says it will not participate in polls as the government has failed to address its demands and implement past deals, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 26/05/2017), RJPN announces to disrupt polls, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 27/05/2017), RJP-N protest dampens poll spirit in Banke (kp 28/05/2017), , Show flexibility: RJPN should now realize that constitutional amendment and increasing number of local levels at this stage are impossible (ht) [This sounds reasonable though the question remains why the media never demanded the same from the stubborn CPN-UML!], We hope the govt will show sincerity in bringing us on board the elections, interview with Rajendra Mahato, RJP-N (kp 29/05/2017)

Madhes-centric parties welcome govt decision to increase local units (kp 26/05/2017)

RJP-N still in dilemma over joining local polls: Announcement of a fresh round of protest likely today, says a leader, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 25/05/2017), Party’s Saptari chapter for election boycott (kp 25/05/2017), Parties in Banke ready for polls, save RJP-N (kp 26/05/2017)

Sense and sentiments: When intelligentsia, political class and public intellectuals fail to take clear stands, the whole debate flies into abstractions, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep 24/05/2017)

FA postpones protests (ht 23/05/2017)

Will participate in all three tiers of polls (kp 22/05/2017), Madhesi parties in bid for poll alliance (rep 22/05/2017)

EC rejects PM's request to increase local units: The election body has also refused to give umbrella as the election symbol to the newly-formed Rastriya Janata Party Nepal as demanded by its leaders (rep 22/05/2017)

Seven-party talks on for peaceful polls: Madhesi leaders threaten to boycott elections if amendment bill not passed, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 20/05/2017)

RJP-N for postponing elections: The govt, however, is set to end House session today (kp 18/05/2017), NC rejects RJP request to delay 2nd phase polls, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 18/05/2017)

Constitution amendment: RJPN tells PM, Deuba to ensure passage of bill, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 18/05/2017)

Kin of Maleth clash victims get Rs 1m each (kp 18/05/2017) [And what of punishing the guilty persons?? This is continued politics of impunity!!]

Yadav demands amendment before second phase polls (kp 17/05/2017), Amendment must as per deal: Upendra Yadav (rep 17/05/2017)

Protest rally against NC, CPN-MC (ht 13/05/2017)

Upendra Yadav defends decision to take part in local level elections (ht 13/05/2017), Local polls will safeguard achievements: Upendra Yadav (rep 13/05/2017)

RJP-N to disrupt polls if statute not amended (kp 12/05/2017)

Gathabandhan to hold talks with PM today: Alliance of Madhesi and Janajati forces considering protest to press government for statute amendment (kp 09/05/2017), FA to remind PM about gentlemen’s agreement (ht 09/05/2017), Gathabandhan announces stir plan: PM says amendment proposal will be forwarded in the upcoming meeting of Parliament, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 10/05/2017) [Don't take the people for a fool! With your attack against the independence of judiciary you have lost any chance to find the necessary majority for an amenment, Mr Dahal!], Govt not honoring 'gentlemen's agreement': Madhesi parties (rep 10/05/2017), Federal Alliance unveils 'peaceful' protests ahead of polls (rep 10/05/2017)

Gachhadar joins govt with 2 other party colleagues: Three state ministers from NLF to be sworn in today (kp 09/05/2017)

Thakur-led Gathabandhan to serve ultimatum to PM (kp 08/05/2017), Thakur’s statement personal: Yadav (kp 08/05/2017)

Gathabandhan shows its architect the door: Removes Upendra Yadav; Mahantha Thakur takes over, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 07/05/2017)

RJPN leaders meet Prez (kp 06/05/2017)

Formation of RJP-N formally endorsed: To join polls only after statute amendment (kp 03/05/2017)

Gachchhadar's NLP declines Dahal offer to join govt: Decides to continue support to govt (rep 03/05/2017)

FSFN to contest polls; RJP to await amendment (rep 02/05/2017)

Too little, too late: While Madhesi people have faced bullets benefits have accrued mostly to a handful of Madhesi leaders, by Sukhdev Shah (rep 02/05/2017)

Oppn, Madhes parties want local polls in single phase (rep 29/04/2017), FSFN demands elections in single phase: 'Budget only after constitution amendment, elections' (rep 29/04/2017)

Who represents the Madhes? Parties that speak and work with people rather than for them can eventually win their hearts and minds, by Pramod Mishra (kp 27/04/2017)

Unified Madhesis To Join Poll Fray, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 26/04/2017), RJP-N misses time to enlist for Phase I vote: New party only informs poll body about the merger of six Madhes-based parties to become RJP-N and demands ‘umbrella’ as its election symbol, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 27/04/2017)

Under opposition pressure govt shelves plan to increase local units, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep 27/04/2017), House resumes as govt backs out: Lawmakers allowed registering amendments to the constitution amendment bill (rep 27/04/2017)

Naya Shakti to go to polls with SSFN’s symbol (kp 26/04/2017)

Gathabandhan to take part in two-phase local elections: Govt agrees to fast-track endorsement of a revised constitution amendment proposal, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 23/04/2017), Gathabandhan rolls back agitation plan: To begin preparations for local polls, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 24/04/2017)

Hectic parleys raise hope of agreement: Panel formed to prepare revised constitution amendment proposal; Deal, most likely today, could clear clouds of uncertainty over polls, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 22/04/2017), Morcha disrupts EC training: Protesters warn of disrupting every programme related to the local level elections (kp 22/04/2017)

Six Madhes-based parties under one umbrella: Rastriya Janata Party ‘to step up protest’ to press for statute revision; Leaders rule out possibility of participating in polls slated for May 14 (kp 21/04/2017), Six UDMF constituents merge: Form Rastriya Janata Party; FSF-N not to be a part of the new entity (ht 21/04/2017), Six Madhes parties unify as polls loom closer, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 21/04/2017), Coming together: A day after five major parties agreed to go for local elections on 14 May with or without Madhes-based parties, six fringe parties from the Tarai announced unification, by Om Astha Rai (nt 21/04/2017)

UDMF struggles to resist poll aspirants despite boycott stance, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 21/04/2017)

SLMM activists clash with police in Gaur (kp 21/04/2017)

SLMM stages torch rally (kp 19/04/2017)

Joint stir announced in Kailali (ht 19/05/2017)

Lekhi’s party merges with Sadbhawana (kp 19/04/2017)

Gathabandhan move leaves locals in Madhes wary, by Bhusan Yadav (kp 18/04/2017), Morcha’s protests challenge for polls: Security officials, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp 18/04/2017), BRB to join forces with Yadav for joint movement (kp 18/04/2017)

Gathabandhan shares plan to foil local polls: Local vote should be held after federal and provincial elections: Yadav (kp 17/04/2017), Fresh amendments only if Morcha agrees: Nayak, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 17/04/2017), What do Madhesi parties want?, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 17/04/2017)

FA to announce protest programmes today (ht 16/05/2017)

68-party front begins hunger strike for election symbols (kp 16/04/2017)

UDMF leaders discuss protest strategies (ht 15/04/2017), UDMF ready for another round of talks 'if govt is sincere' (rep 15/04/2017)

Madhesis seek changes in charter (ht 14/04/2017)

Ominous tides: Local elections, if held without bringing the Morcha on board, will be another way of entrenching Kathmandu’s power, by Pramod Mishra (kp 13/04/2017), Constitution amendment process back to square one: Govt bid to bring Madhesi parties on board the election uncertain, by Ashok Dahal (rep 13/04/2017), Govt move cuts no ice, Morcha ‘to turn up heat’, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/04/2017), UDMF rejects new amendment bill, by Roshan Sedhai (rep 13/04/2017)

New amendment bill draws mixed reaction from Madhes-based parties; UML vows to foil it (rep 12/04/2017)

Zero hour: Without any delay, parties must pass amendment bill and the Madhesi parties must commit to polls (kp 10/04/2017), Morcha’s views sought on fresh amendment proposal: Oppn CPN-UML yet to be consulted, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 10/04/2017)

Statute amendment: PM says new proposal will be acceptable to all; Morcha leaders ‘eagerly waiting’ to see how government moves forward, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 09/04/2017)

Officials raise red flag for some Tarai districts: Say it will be difficult to hold elections if Morcha not brought on board (kp 08/04/2017), NC for putting amendment bill to vote: Open to holding polls in two phases if UDMF takes part (ht 08/04/2017)

Talks with Madhes parties on back burner as NC-Maoist ties sour, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep 06/04/2017), Saptari locals, police wish for govt-UDMF deal, by Jitendra Kumar Jha (rep 06/04/2017)

Over dozen leaders, cadres quit NMSP (ht 05/04/2017)

MJF-D, RJP decide to unify (ht 05/04/2017) [new name will be Nepal Loktantrik Forum and MJF-D Chairman Gachhadar will lead it], Threshold provision triggers merger of fringe parties: MJF-L, Rastriya Janamukti Party, Dalit Janajati Party become Nepal Loktantrik Forum Party, by Binod Ghimire and Tika R. Pradhan (kp 06/04/2017), Two fringe parties merge with MPRF-D: New party named Nepal Democratic Forum (rep 06/04/2017)

Limbuwan party for leveraging election to strengthen its base, by Arjun B. Rajbanshi (kp 03/04/2017)

Bid to form unified Madhesi party (ht 03/04/2017)

Three central leaders, 17 others quit Sadbhawana Party (ht 31/03/2017)

Madhes protests cost Saptari 11 lives in 19 months: Residents, leaders and activist call for peaceful protests, by Jitendra Kumar Jha (rep 30/03/2017)

Madhesi Parties: A Force To Reckon With, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 30/03/2017)

Sadbhawana cadres, leaders quit (ht 30/03/2017)

Gachchhadar's party 'might' join NC (rep 20/03/2017) [???]

Did Terai People Need To Punish Madheshi Leaders?, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km 15/03/2017)

Madhesh is wasting: If all Madheshi leaders come under a single electoral umbrella, it would give the fight for Madheshi rights new boost and legitimacy, by Sukhdev Shah (rep 09/03/2017)

UML Campaign And Reactive Madhesi Front, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 05/03/2017)

CK Raut’s supporters held (kp 19/02/2017), Marchawar tense as CK Raut’s supporters clash with police, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 20/02/2017), It’s secession, stupid: Madheshi Morcha leaders echo CK Raut on several fronts, with only slight variances in their tone and phraseology, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep 20/02/2017) [By the way, what about the social secession that is forced by Kamal Thapa and his RPP? Both the policies of Raut and Thapa are disintegrating and unconstitutional, only that Raut is imprisoned and Thapa is celebrated by mainstream Tagadhari politicians!], Life returns to normal in Rupandehi’s Marchawar (kp 21/02/2017)

Tharu parties aim for unification, by Madan Chaudhary (rep 18/02/2017)

Local level restructuring: A few tweaks to report is what Morcha seeks; Calls for adding 100 units in Tarai to make recommendations acceptable, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/02/2017)

Ten Years On, Madhes Still In Unrest, by Amarendra Yadav (rn 11/02/2017)

MLP holds merger talks with like-minded Madhesi parties (kp 07/02/2017)

Morcha denies meetings with secessionist forces (kp 05/02/2017)

‘Free Madhes’ campaigner CK Raut arrested (kp 03/02/2017)

Politics In Terai: Fighting Fallacies And False Consciousness, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 29/01/2017) [?? In defence of non-inclusive male Tagadhari politics!]

10 years of Madhes movement: Crucial gains, Madhesi leaders ask for more, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 17/01/2017), Ten years after: The Madhes movement has helped to make Madhesis more confident and assertive, by Randhir Chaudhary (kp 18/01/2017), Nine years on, Madhes movement has lost what it gained, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep 18/01/2017) [wants to say: ten years on]

Rotary of revolutions: Rudderless due to unawakened masses, Tarai-Madhesh remains almost leaderless even after a decade of the first major upheaval, by CK Lal (rep 16/01/2017)

Better luck next year: Madhesis will remember 2016 for the endless  political dialogue that yielded little, by Dipendra Jha (kp 03/01/2017)

Southern blues: Kathmandu should be cautious about how splinter ideology is spreading in Tarai due to its continuing negligence of the region, by Randhir Chaudhary (kp 30/12/2016)

CK Raut held with 33 supporters: Deputy Superintendent of Police Manoj Yadav says they will be released after detailed investigation (kp 26/11/2016)

PM hits snag with Madhesi leaders in amendment bid: Talks on Wednesday inconclusive, FSFN clear on no support, others to discuss after bill is in Parliament (rep 24/11/2016), Majority of Morcha leaders agree to draft proposal, but tepidly: Say they will extend support to it despite having some reservations; Remain non-committal about taking part in polls once it is tabled, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 24/11/2016), Tharu council warns against Province 5 split, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp 24/11/2016)