KATHMANDU: Bibeksheel Nepali Party has split after a disgruntled faction in the party defected after the party decided to merge with Sajha Party.

A total of 13 leaders including Vice Chairperson Ajita Rai announced to quit the party after Sajha Party’s Rabindra Mishra and Bibeksheel’s Milan Pandey were preparing to sign a deal for a party unification.

Issuing a press release, the defectors announced that they would not participate in the unification process.

In the statement, they have stated that they will register a new party following discussions with the like-minded people.

Currently, there are 35 members in the federal committee of Bibeksheel Nepali Party. Of them, 13 have announced to quit the party.

The group quitting the party includes Vice Chairperson Ajita Rai, Sangeeta Batajoo, Karma Lama Tamang, Chhiring Tamang, Bijaya Babu Shiwakoti, Jaisan Baidhya, Shishir Rai, Jamal Ali, Ashish Rai, Gyanendra Niraula, Sadhana Thulung Rai, Shashi Bikram Karki and Alok Subedi.