Unified Socialist decides to merge with Maoist Center

KATHMANDU: The CPN (Unified Socialist) has decided to unite with the CPN (Maoist Center).

The decision was endorsed by a majority of the party’s central members during the Central Committee meeting that concluded on Friday, according to Vice Chair Jagannath Khatiwada.

However, several senior leaders, including respected leader Jhalanath Khanal, General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal, Ramkumari Jhakri, Ghanendra Basnet, Bijay Poudel, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Laxman Lamsal, Damodar Aryal, Ashok Ghimire, Akil Hussain Khan, and Hari Parajuli, opposed the move.

According to Lamsal, who stood against the merger, said that while a majority favored unification, concerns remained. Meanwhile, senior leader Bamdev Gautam, who has long advocated for party unity, argued that unification should ultimately include the UML as well. “We should coordinate with all parties, even the UML,” he said during the meeting. “Otherwise, internal rebellion may arise.”

The Unified Socialist was formed under the leadership of Madhav Kumar Nepal, following the split in the then CPN-UML after disputes between leaders KP Sharma Oli and Nepal.

In the House of Representatives elections, the Unified Socialist, in alliance with the Nepali Congress and Maoist Center, won 10 seats directly. However, it failed to secure national party status as it did not receive the required 3 percent of votes under proportional representation.