Rajendra Mahato Quits LSP, Calls for National Freedom Agitation

Senior leader Rajendra Mahato has officially parted ways with the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP), declaring his resignation during a program held at the Rastriya Sabhagriha on Monday. Mahato’s departure comes amidst escalating tensions within the party and his call for what he terms as “national freedom agitation.”

During the announcement, Mahato emphasized the need for a renewed struggle, citing grievances of the Madhesi community following the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2015. He rallied for collective action from marginalized and oppressed communities against what he perceives as a single-race governing system, urging his former party members to join his campaign.

Tensions within the LSP have been simmering for some time, with Mahato openly criticizing Chairman Mahantha Thakur for unilateral decision-making within the party. Alongside Mahato, Sharat Singh Bhandari, another senior leader, has also voiced discontent within the party ranks.

The divide within the LSP has deepened, with allegations from both factions. Mahato has been accused by the Thakur faction of conducting parallel activities from the office of the Gajendra Narayan Singh Research Center at Anamnagar. Conversely, Mahato’s faction has accused Thakur of favoritism towards his own faction, originating from the former Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP).

The roots of this discord trace back to the formation of the Rastriya Janata Party (RJP), a coalition comprising Thakur-led TMLP, Mahato-led Sadbhavana Party, and other smaller parties. This alliance later merged with the Upendra Yadav-led Samajwadi Party to establish the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP). However, differences emerged within the JSP regarding support for the then KP Sharma Oli government, leading to the split of the Thakur-Mahato faction, which subsequently formed the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP).