Nepal, Sept. 15 -- Of the three Madhes Movements, the first one is ceremoniously observed. The martyrdom of Ramesh Mahato in Lahan in 2007 catapulted Upendra Yadav, a small-time political operator from Biratnagar, to the national scene. He marks the day every year to renew his political capital.

The second Madhes Movement, in 2008, was more of a pressure tactic rather than an uprising. Along with the resolution of outstanding issues of the first movement, it sought to ensure representation commensurate with the population before the Constituent Assembly elections. Since the campaign was non-confrontational, broad-based and accommodative, no particular day marks this movement. Mahantha Thakur emerged as the moral face of Madhesi politics ...