Nepal’s Progressive Front to Hold First Joint Meetings in September

Nepal’s Progressive Front has stepped up its organisational expansion and mass mobilisation plans, with major gatherings scheduled in Madhesh Province in September as the alliance seeks to strengthen its political base following the March general election.

The front, initially formed by eight political parties on August 8, has since expanded its organisational activities and is now described by Nepali reports as a nine-party alliance. Its constituent groups include the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Janamat Party, Aam Janata Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, Nepal Sanghiya Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Ekta Party, among others.

At a Madhesh Province-level meeting in Janakpur on Friday, chaired by Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal chairman Upendra Yadav, the front formed a provincial coordination committee and assigned responsibilities for establishing district-level committees.

The alliance has decided to establish district coordination committees across all eight districts of Madhesh Province, with responsibilities distributed among its constituent parties. It has also approved plans to expand its organisation beyond the provincial and district levels.

As part of its mobilisation campaign, the front will hold a major gathering in Janakpur on September 12, bringing together leaders and cadres from Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi. A second gathering is scheduled in Birgunj on September 19, involving representatives from Rautahat, Bara and Parsa.

The meetings are expected to focus on organisational expansion, public mobilisation, future political programmes and strategy, while also laying the groundwork for the formation of committees at different levels.

The front has previously said it wants to unite democratic, progressive, socialist and inclusive political forces. Its agenda includes strengthening federalism, ensuring proportional representation for marginalised communities and pursuing constitutional amendments to address structural problems in Nepal’s federal system.

The alliance’s formation came after the March 5 parliamentary election, in which the Madhesh-based parties that make up the front suffered major electoral setbacks. The new coalition has indicated that its constituent parties could coordinate their strategies and, where necessary, contest future elections together.

The front has also announced plans for sector-specific campaigns involving farmers, youths, students and women, alongside nationwide public awareness programmes focused on employment, livelihoods, good governance, social justice, equality and inclusion.