Nepal's First President Mr. Ram Baran Yadav

Mr Yadav became the first president of Nepal in July 2008, nearly two months after the country's constituent assembly voted to abolish the 239-year-old monarchy. He is an ethnic Madheshi from Nepal's southern lowlands and was backed by the centrist Nepali Congress - the second largest party in parliament - as well as two smaller parties. Mr Yadav is a doctor and twice served as health minister. He has also held senior positions in the Nepali Congress. The presidency is a largely ceremonial position. 

“Nepal needs a representative government. I will serve Nepal once again if the country and the political parties demand me to become President. I am ready to shoulder any responsibility for Nepal as I have done in the past,” Dr. Yadav said in an interaction at his official residence Sheetal Bhavan.

Nepal’s Parliament is going to elect a new President on October 27 and political heat is rising as various options and personalities are being examined by the political class. Dr. Yadav, who has served for seven years as President, has remained silent on the latest blockade but he feels there is no point in brushing the problems of the Madhesis under the carpet.

Nepali political leaders have told The Hindu that there is a growing understanding that since the post of Prime Minister has gone to K.P. Sharma Oli, a Pahari Brahmin, the post of President should go to a Madhesi leader. Therefore, the name of Dr. Yadav has returned to the forefront.

Answering a pointed question whether he would like to be a candidate in the coming election for president, Dr. Yadav said it was for the political parties in Parliament to decide. “I hope the political parties have their ears to the ground and make a decision that will help Nepal’s future. I am not saying that I should be the President. But a Madhesi can be chosen to maintain balance and order in the country,” he said.

But it is not easy for Dr .Yadav to become a President again as the Madhesis themselves are becoming more aggressive in their demands. While leaders like Rajendra Mahato believe the present government has taken away the right of citizenship from the Madhesis, Dr. Yadav reportedly disagrees and considers the careless division of the Madhesi region to be a greater problem for his people. But more importantly, to have someone to represent their region in the Nepali system, the divided Madhesi political parties also need to come together. Reflecting on the possibility of finding a Madhesi leader, Mr. Mahato told The Hindu that he and his party Sadbhawna Party would consider all options in case a Madhesi candidate came up. Nepal’s politics is in a fractured state but it remains to be seen if the divides of Nepal can be bridged by the cross party moves of Mr. Sharma Oli or by those like Mr. Ram Baran Yadav who want Nepal to become more representative. The presidential election will be a test of political acumen of Parliament.