United Democratic Madhesi Front
United Democratic Madhesi Front was a political alliance of Madhesh-based political parties in Nepal created for the Madhes Movement. It was formed in 2008 by Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal, Nepal Sadbhavana Party and [Terai Madheshi people|Madhesh Loktantrik Party (2007)|Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party].
History
Madhesh Movement II (2007–08)
On 17 December 2007, Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal led by Upendra Yadav and Nepal Sadbhvana Party led by Rajendra Mahato announced a protest programme with a nine-point demand. The two parties announced three-week long joint agitation in the Terai region starting from 26 December. The two-party alliance was initially known as the United Madhesi Front and called for the government to implement the 22-point demand that had been signed with MJFN in the first Madhesh movement.On 9 February 2008, the Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party joined the United Madhesi Front and the United Democratic Madhesi Front was formed. The front wanted the government to declare an autonomous Madhesh province in the Terai region of Nepal. The front also wanted the Election Commission Act be amended to increase inclusiveness of Madhesis, Janajatis and Dalits in state organs including the Nepal Army.
On February 28, 2008, UDMF signed an 8-point deal with the government of Nepal, ending a 16-day general strike in the Tarai areas. The government and the front agreed to establish a federal democratic republic, declare an autonomous Madhesh, ensure proportional representation for marginalised communities in Nepal Army, declare the people killed in the agitation as martyrs and provide free medical treatment to the injured. Through signing the deal, the UDMF agreed to participate in the Constituent Assembly election. In June 2008, the three parties agreed to revive the front, following the holding of the election.
Madhesh Movement III (2015–16)
The UDMF was reformed by Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal (Democratic), Nepal Sadbhawna Party, Rastriya Madhesh Samajbadi Party, Sadbhawana Party, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party and Terai Madhesh Sadbhavana Party. The alliance was formed against the proposed province demarcation by the major political parties. The alliance said that the proposed demarcation violated the previous agreements that had been signed between them during the first and second Madhesh movement that ensured a single Madhesh province.Forum Democratic was expelled from the alliance on 15 June 2015 after the party signed an agreement with the government. The Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal later merged with Federal Socialist Party, Nepal and Khas Samabeshi Party to form Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal but stayed on as a member of the front. The prolonged agitation in the Terai region that borders India also led to the 2015 Nepal blockade, the UDMF offered to lift the blockade only after their demands for constitution amendment was made.