Parties gear up for local, provincial polls: Madhes-based parties regroup, labour-culture party pushes west into Koshi

Parties have stepped up preparations for next year's local level and provincial assembly elections.

Madhes-based parties, which failed to win a single seat in last Falgun's House of Representatives election, are working to strengthen their organisations. Parties active in this effort include Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Janamat Party, Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal and Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal.

Janamat Party has completed its general convention, while JSP Nepal and LSP Nepal are in the process of adjustment following their unification.

Separately, the Shram Sanskriti Party (Labour Culture Party) has also expanded its activities into western Nepal since the last election. Party secretary Tikaram Rai said chairman Harka Sampang is touring districts of Karnali Province as part of a campaign to install suspension bridges in Humla.

According to Rai, the chairman has also been listening to local grievances during the visits. Sampang has been posting videos and photographs of these interactions on Facebook.

The party has sent a message of nationwide expansion by building a suspension bridge at Dumling in Darchula. General secretary Aren Rai said the party has also mobilised volunteers in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, districts hit by the Bhotekoshi flood.