KATHMANDU, June 11: In a growing sign of crisis in Madhesi People´s Rights Forum- Democratic (MPRF-D), ten influential leaders, including nine central committee members resigned from the party Sunday accusing its chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar of being dictatorial.
The move came after the party sought clarification from central committee members Pramod Prasad Gupta, Om Prakash Yadav, Nilam Barma, Kaushalkishor Yadav, Ramananda Mandal, Sewaki Devi Tatma, Amirullah Ansari, Paras Sah and Amrita Agrahari accusing them of being involved in activities against party policy and discipline.
In addition, Central Secretariat member of Madhesi Youth Forum-Democratic (MYFD) Shivaji Prasad Soni also resigned from the organization. All ten are close to former senior leader Sharat Singh Bhandari who was expelled by the party on June 6.
The MPRF-D had sought clarification from the nine central committee members through a notice in the state-run Gorkhapatra daily on Friday and given them three-days to respond.
"Though our party has a democratic name, it is very undemocratic and is ruled by Gachchhadar unilaterally," said Gupta while addressing a press conference in the capital on Sunday afternoon. He also said their resignations, which was annonced through mass media, was a direct response for clarification in Gorkhapatra.
"We are announcing our resignation through the same means as he [Gachchhadar] sought clarification from us."
Addressing the press conference, Barma claimed that leaders were not allowed to participate in the decision making process in the party. "We just took minutes, and the chairman took all the decision," said Barma, adding, "He considered the MPRF-D as his personal property."
Similarly, Agrahari claimed that even Senior Vice-chairman Rameshwor Raya Yadav was not aware about the party´s decision to seek clarification from them. "When I asked our party vice-chairman and general secretary about the clarifications, they told me that they were not aware of the central committee discussing the issue," she added.
Talking to Republica, Senior Vice-chairman Yadav said disciplinary committee´s decision is known only after it informs the central committee. "There are several committees under the party and we come to know about their decisions only after they forward their reports to the central committee." he stated.
Addressing the press conference, central member Om Prakash Yadav accused Gachchhadar of betraying Madhesi peoples by becoming greedy for power.
When asked about formation of a new party, Gupta said they would make their views public regarding the new party on Monday.
However, a MPRF-D central member told Republica that Bhandari would not form a new party immediately. "He will announce the party only after holding discussions with district leaders across Tarai," added the leader who preferred anonymity.
MPRF-D on Wednesday expelled central committee members Birendra Yadav and Satrudhan Chaudhari, a day after it expelled Bhandari.
MPRF-D leaders announce resignation in a press meet at Masala cottage Baneshwor.
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