Eight Parties Announce ‘Progressive Front’

Dragon Media Correspondent

Eight political parties and groups have jointly announced the formation of a new alliance named the “Progressive Front.”

The front was formally launched at a program held on Saturday at Kathmandu Banquet in Thapagaun, Kathmandu.

Along with the announcement, the participating parties also unveiled a 28-point concept paper outlining the front’s objectives, organizational principles and areas of cooperation.

The document was signed by Upendra Yadav, Chair of the Janata Samajbadi Party; Dr. Chandrakant Raut, Chair of the Janamat Party; Prabhu Sah, Chair of the Aam Janata Party; Resham Chaudhary, patron of the Nagarik Unmukti Party; and Santosh Pariyar, Chair of the Progressive Democratic Party.

Rizwan Ansari, Chair of the Nepal Federal Socialist Party; Dr. Harinandan Kumar Ranjan, Chair of the Bahujan Ekta Party; and Ram Kumar Rai, Chair of the Khambuwan National Front, also signed the concept paper.

According to the document, the leadership of the front will serve for a fixed term.

Decisions will be taken by consensus wherever possible. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions will be made through democratic procedures.

All members will be required to respect decisions taken by the front, while constituent parties will not be permitted to publicly undertake activities that contradict collectively agreed positions.

Any disputes among participating parties are expected to be resolved through mutual understanding and agreement.

The front also plans to develop a common electoral strategy and participate jointly in elections where necessary.

It has agreed to organize joint movements, public campaigns and initiatives related to livelihoods and other public concerns.

The participating parties will also seek to formulate common positions on political, economic and social issues of national importance and undertake joint initiatives accordingly.

The concept paper further provides for the front to take and implement political, organizational and other necessary decisions consistent with its stated objectives.

The formation of the Progressive Front represents a new effort by Madhes-based, identity-oriented and alternative political forces to coordinate on elections, public livelihood issues and broader national political questions.