Kathmandu, March 10 -- When the CPN (Maoist) ended its decade-long insurgency in 2006, identity politics was a buzzword, which later dominated the Nepali political discourse during the constitution-making process.

The Tarai/Madhesh was at the centre of identity politics, as it gave birth to several prominent political parties and leaders in the plains.

That also resulted in Dr Ram Baran Yadav, a seasoned politician from the Nepali Congress, becoming the first President of the Republic of Nepal. Paramananda Jha, a retired judge, became the first elected vice president. The incumbent Vice President, Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, is also from Madhesh Province.

But not a single party with regionalism and identity politics at its core could do wel...