KATHMANDU: Two major Madhesh-based political parties have signed a formal agreement to merge. The Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal (JSP-Nepal) and the Mahantha Thakur-led Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nepal (LSP-Nepal) reached an official consensus on party unification.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting held in Kathmandu, attended by party chairs Upendra Yadav and Mahantha Thakur along with senior office bearers from both sides.
In a joint statement issued after signing the merger agreement, the parties said the decision was taken after assessing the current political situation of the country, with the aim of institutionalizing the federal democratic republic and strengthening progressive agendas such as federalism, identity, proportional inclusion, and social justice in order to build a just society.
As per the agreement, the unified party will retain the name Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal. The party’s election symbol will be a flag with red at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. A 43-member Central Coordination Committee will be formed, with Mahantha Thakur serving as patron and Upendra Yadav as chair.
The coordination committee will include leaders such as Ashok Bhapa, Ashok Yadav, Umakanta Jha, Chandeshwar Paswan, Jitendra Prasad Sonar, Umesh Yadav, Tara Bishwakarma, and Dipak Karki, among others.
The unified party has agreed to jointly select candidates for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. All organizational structures at various levels of the former parties will function under the unified party and remain active.
This merger comes nearly four years after the two parties split. The Janata Samajbadi Party was formed in 2077 B.S., but soon after, in 2078 B.S., the Mahantha Thakur faction broke away to form the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party. The reunification is expected to strengthen Madhesh-based politics and have a notable impact on the upcoming elections.
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