The Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party has intensified unification talks with other regional parties including the Sadbhawana Party as pressure for merger grows from their constituencies.

TMLP leaders involved in formal and informal negotiations said there had been some fruitful discussion with the Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhawana Party while talks with other parties are in the initial phase.

Though both the TMLP and the Sadbhawana leaderships have agreed on the need for merger, there has not been an expected progress on the crucial issues of leadership and organisation, according to leaders involved in negotiations.

“Common people want to see all of us together as we have been fighting for similar causes. There is not much difference in terms of agendas or ideologies. But there are other important issues that need to be sorted,” said TMLP Vice-chairman Brisesh Chandra Lal.

“It’s impossible to merge two political parties without some give and take. The matter has landed on the tables of the two chairmen. But it remains to be seen whether they will be able to clear the hurdles. The prospect doesn’t look much encouraging though,” said a TMLP leader.

The Madhes-based parties have been stressing the need for unification among the regional forces ever since the second Constituent Assembly election of 2012 when they failed to win significant numbers of seats. They are also facing tremendous pressure from the Madhesi public to unite. Moreover, the Election Commission’s plan to impose a threshold is likely to force many parties to opt for unification for survival.

TMLP Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Sadbhawana Chairman Rajendra Mahato had stressed last month that there was the need for unity among the Madhesi parties to win public trust and strengthen the identity movement.

“There are complications about bringing two separate political entities together. It remains unclear whether or not we will succeed in our effort,” said Thakur.