The CPN (Maoist Centre) has announced suspension of its month-long Tarai-Madhesh awakening campaign that was initially launched on February 24 from Jhapa. The campaign, which was intended to interact with the general public and raise awareness about federal democratic republic values, reached Rautahat on Saturday before being temporarily halted due to political developments.

A senior party leader stated that the decision to suspend the campaign was taken with a plan to shift the party’s priority to the effective functioning of the federal parliament and to counter ongoing activities deemed to threaten the stability of the federal democratic republic. The leader emphasised that the suspension was necessary to address growing concerns about attempts to create unrest and political regression in the country.

According to multiple Maoist Centre leaders, they took the decision mainly in view of the activities of the pro-Monarchy forces, who have intensified their activities in recent days. They have planned a major demonstration in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The Maoist Centre campaign, which began from Jhapa in the east of Nepal, aimed to cover the entire Tarai-Madhesh region and conclude in Kanchanpur district on March 20, in the far-west of the country.

Anil Shrestha, the Maoist Centre’s chair for Bara district, confirmed that the campaign was halted in Rautahat due to political tensions in the central region. He added that the Maoists were planning to resume the campaign after the festival of Holi, potentially reinvigorating their push for political engagement post-mid-March.

The party’s awareness campaign had been marked by public meetings, commemorative events for martyrs, and visits to the families of fallen heroes. However, despite the campaign’s early momentum, Maoist leaders pointed to the need to focus on enhancing parliament's functions, which had been disrupted by internal political shifts and external pressures.

The Maoist Centre has clarified that the campaign’s suspension is temporary, with a revised schedule expected to be announced soon.