Victory of Mahindra Raya Yadav against Rajendra Mahato establishes politics as a game of possibilities

At times political competition results in unexpected turns. Comrades’ position turns as competitors, and one has to lose in the political battle.

This implies the political ups and downs of Mahindra Raya Yadav and Rajendra Mahato—the veteran politicians based in Madhes region for decades.In this House of Representatives (HoR) election held on November 20, the two leaders faced each other as an opponent from Sarlahi district.

Mahato had begun his politics from Sadbhawana Party while Yadav was a communist in the past but in course of their political journey, both the leaders became leaders of the same political force, Rastriya Janata Party (RJP) Nepal.

The leaders were the presidium members of the RJP, Nepal. But, as they were separated from the Madhes-based party, the two leaders contested polls from separate parties and Yadav was elected from Sarlahi-2. As the RJP split, Yadav sided with Dr Baburam Bhattarai in the formation of Janata Samajwadi Party while Mahato remained with Mahantha Thakur to form the next political party.

In this election, Mahato’s Nepal Samajwadi Party (NSP) is contesting the polls with the electoral symbol of the CPN (Maoist Centre), a partner of the left-democratic alliance. Mahato is the leader of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, previously a ruling alliance partner. On the other hand, Yadav is the leader of the Nepal Samajwadi Party, the ruling coalition partner.

Having contested from the Maoist Centre, Yadav won with 23,529 votes. His nearest rival Mahato received 21,518 votes. He also emerged victorious from Sarlahi constituency-2 in the 2074 HoR polls.

He was elected to the Constituent Assembly (both first and second) from Sarlahi as well. Previously, he took charge as the state minister in 2054 BS, the irrigation minister in 2064BS, the industry minister in 2067BS and the general administration minister later.

Having fought various movements in the past for the rights of backward communities and minorities, he originally from Basantapur of Sarlahi was honoured with the constituent assembly medal.