KATHMANDU: The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and the Nagarik Unmukti Party led by Ranjita Shrestha have reached an agreement to merge on Monday.
The unification comes as both parties were submitting their proportional representation lists to the Election Commission for the upcoming election on March 5.
Ranjita Shrestha has been integrated into the NCP, while Resham Chaudhary’s Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal remains separate and has aligned with Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah.
The merger agreement emphasizes a shared commitment to a multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-religious, and multicultural federal democratic republic and advancing socialism.
As per the agreement, the merged party will retain the name ‘Nepali Communist Party’ and use the star as its election symbol. Elected representatives at federal, provincial, and local levels from both parties will automatically become members of the NCP.
All central committees and mass organizations of the Nagarik Unmukti Party will be integrated into the NCP through mutual agreement.
The agreement highlights the parties’ commitment to federalism, good governance, prosperity, and social justice while ensuring the country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Both parties also pledged to fight for the rights and recognition of all communities from the streets, parliament, and government.
The merger underscores adherence to collective leadership, inclusive representation, and democratic centralism. It also includes plans to strengthen the constitution, improve governance and electoral systems, and promote progressive amendments.
Furthermore, the agreement ensures proportional inclusion of women, Tharu, Madhesi, indigenous nationalities, Dalits, Muslims, minorities, and marginalized communities at all levels of the state. It also calls for initiatives to withdraw false cases related to the Tikapur massacre in Kailali and to publicize the Lal Commission’s report.
The agreement was signed by Nagarik Unmukti Party Chair Ranjita Shrestha, NCP Co-Coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal, and NCP Coordinator Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who described the merger as a significant step for progressive political transformation.
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