JANAKPURDHAM: Leaders of Madhesh-centered political parties who were defeated amid the wave of support for Balen Sah in Madhesh Province have said they accept the decision of the people.

After their defeat, they expressed on social media that they respect and accept the verdict given by the voters.

Upendra Yadav, the central chairman of the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, who was defeated in Saptari-3 by Amarkant Chaudhary, a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), said he accepts the people’s mandate and will continue the struggle for rights and identity.

He wrote: “Accepting the people’s mandate, we remain firmly committed to the goals of equality, freedom, social justice, prosperity, and socialism. We will continue our unwavering struggle for the identity, dignity, rights, justice, and liberation of marginalized and excluded communities.”

Yadav also expressed gratitude to all voters who supported his party. He said the support given by the voters will be taken as a responsibility and pledged to work even more firmly to fulfill the expectations of the people in the future.

Similarly, Dr CK Raut, chairman of the Janamat Party, said his party is not discouraged by the current mandate but wants to accept it and move forward. He said they accept the people’s opinion.

He wrote on social media: “Therefore, do not consider this result as the outcome of any individual, but accept it as a situational development and move forward. There is no need to be disappointed at all. Let us accept the people’s mandate and allow those who won to run the government.”

Raut added: “Just wait one or two years and everything will become clear. The people will come back to us again. Storms do not last forever; principles and agendas keep us alive in society for a long time.”

Raut is currently placed third in Saptari-2.

Likewise, Rajendra Mahato, chairman of the Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal, said that Balen Shah getting the opportunity to become the first Prime Minister from a Madhesi family would be a historic event.

Congratulating the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for its victory in the recently held House of Representatives election, Mahato said the result reflects the people’s desire for change, good governance, and responsible leadership.

Writing on Facebook, Mahato recalled that when Shah was elected Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, he had already raised it in Parliament as a sign of change. He also mentioned that Shah’s statement in Janakpurdham, delivered in the Maithili language before his nomination about strengthening federalism, had attracted the attention of citizens who support federalism and an inclusive state structure.

Mahato said that respecting the people’s mandate, the upcoming government should take serious initiatives on issues such as effective implementation of federalism, ensuring the rights of provinces, resolving disputes related to provincial boundaries and naming, constitutional amendment, and controlling corruption.

He also congratulated Rabin Mahato, who was elected from Sarlahi-2, and expressed gratitude to the voters who supported him.