The unification between the CPN (UML) and the CPN (Unified Socialist) has been the talk of the town, of late.
The UML second and third-rung leaders are frequenting their meetings with Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Nepal, senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal and other office-bearers of the party.
Politburo member Mahesh Basnet paid a visit to leader Nepal at the latter’s residence in Koteshwor one week ago.
Though the UML succeeded in turning the tables in its favor through the formation of a new alliance, it needs the Unified Socialist’s support to be the largest party in the parliament. The Unified Socialist has 10 seats in the House of Representatives (HoR).
That’s why the UML has intensified meetings with the leaders of the Unified Socialist.
Vice Chairman Subas Nembang, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali and Bishnu Rimal are against the unification between the two parties.
“The leaders of the Nepal camp did not comply with the party statute and defected to form a new political party CPN (Unified Socialist). We cannot accept them unless they admit their grave mistakes,” said Gyawali.
But some leaders including Vice Chairpersons Yubaraj Gyawali, Astalaxmi Shakya, and Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung are in favor of the unification.
Gurung has been saying that the unification with the Unified Socialist should be done after the latter lends its support to the Prachanda-led government.
However, the formal dialogue between the UML and the Unified Socialist is unlikely since the UML leaders are divided over the issue of party unification. Some are in favor of unification while the others are maintaining that Unified Socialist leaders should be inducted as new entrants.
Some UML leaders have suggested that the unification between the two parties can be made by appointing Madhav Nepal to the post of the President.
Madhav Nepal would be a kingmaker if his party had crossed the threshold in the November 20 elections. His party would be in a decisive position for the formation of the government and that the many lucrative posts of the state would come into his pie.
On July 17, 2021, Nepal had registered a new party with 23 lawmakers (20%). He had new vigor and enthusiasm then. Now this enthusiasm in Nepal has died down with the results of the general elections.
Unified Socialist leaders have suggested that the party should initiate a unification campaign with like-minded and communist parties.
It has initiated talks towards unifying with the Janata Samajwadi Party, also.
