JSP on verge of split, Thakur-faction in mood to resurrect RJP

KATHMANDU, May 31: Decisions and moves taken by both the factions in the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal (JSP)--- one led by Mahantha Thakur and the other by Upendra Yadav--- in recent days  have led the party to an apparent split in the party. 

The two party chairmen -- Thakur and Yadav asked each other to furnish clarifications twice. The deadline expired on Monday. The series of seeking clarifications began earlier on May 26. However, both sides failed to submit their explanations in the stipulated time-frame. 

The two presidents had sent letters to each other on May 26 to submit explanations within three days. 

In the latest episode, Thakur asked Yadav to submit clarifications two and a half hours after Yadav sought clarifications from him. In his letter addressed to Yadav, Thakur said that he had not received any response from him [Yadav] though he was ‘provided an opportunity to clarify himself before taking an action against him’. “This letter has been sent as a second chance to defend yourself with a satisfactory explanation,” Thakur wrote in the letter and warned that Yadav will be taken action as per The Political Party Act-2017 and Interim Party Statute of JSP-2021. 

Yadav had also sent a similar letter to the leaders including Thakur. Deadline extended by Yadav expired at 1 PM on Monday. “This will lead us to take necessary actions against them [Thakur and leaders close to him],” said Prakash Adhikari, secretary at JSP party office. According to Adhikari, Rajendra Mahato, Laxamn Lal Karna and Sarbendra Shukla were asked to furnish clarifications along with Thakur. 

With this, both sides are desperate to take action against each other. They are likely to engage in a race to claim the party’s legitimacy and knock on the door of the Election Commission (EC). 

As per the Political Party Act, the faction holding majority in the central working committee is given legitimacy. The Yadav faction holds majority in the central working committee and executive committee. The Thakur faction, however, has a majority in the dissolved parliament. Splitting the party is not possible only through the parliamentary party. 

Chairman Thakur is making efforts to muster a majority in the central executive committee. ​

Thakur preparing to revive RJP 

Meanwhile, leaders of the Thakur faction are not in mood of submitting clarifications as sought by Yadav. A leader close to Thakur said, “We have made up our mind to get our own way.” 

It is to be noted that erstwhile Rastriya Janta Party (RJP) led by Mahantha Thakur and Samajbadi Party Nepal led by Upendra Yadav were merged to form the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) only a year ago.