Amid efforts for unity among communist factions, a party merger between the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the CPN (Unified Socialist) has become almost certain. Attempts are also underway to bring the Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’-led CPN into the unification process.
According to leaders involved in the unity talks, there are now no differences between the Maoist Centre and Unified Socialist regarding the party merger. A member of the negotiation team said that Maoist Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal have been given the responsibility to finalize the leadership structure.
The merger is expected to be completed before the deadline given by the Election Commission for party registration. However, no agreement has yet been reached regarding the party’s election symbol. The Unified Socialist has proposed retaining the pen symbol, while the Maoist Centre is suggesting finding a new one. Leaders say this issue will not cause major disagreement.
According to sources, ideology, principles, and policy programs for party unification have already been finalized. The new party will follow Marxism–Leninism as its guiding principle, while its political strategy and program will be based on socialism with Nepali characteristics.
The Maoist Centre will abandon Maoism as its guiding doctrine, while the Unified Socialist has already dropped People’s Multiparty Democracy (Jabaja). The new party’s policy and goal will be socialism with Nepali characteristics, while retaining some basic values of Jabaja, according to Unified Socialist leaders.
The final decision on the new party’s name is yet to be made. However, names such as Nepal Communist Party Socialist or Communist Party of Nepal Socialist are being considered. Leaders say the term “Socialist” will definitely be included in the party name.
Since CPN Socialist is already registered under another group, a proposal was made to name the party CPN Socialist Centre, but it was opposed because its abbreviation would be CPN-SC (“Sake”), which leaders found unsuitable. Discussions are underway with the group currently registered under the name CPN Socialist to finalize the name.
After agreement on the party name, ideology, and policy, the responsibility of finalizing the leadership structure has been given to Prachanda and Madhav Nepal. Leaders believe that even if Biplav takes time to join, announcing the merger of the two parties now will help create momentum for broader left unity.
One proposed model suggests Prachanda as Coordinator and Madhav Nepal as Co-Coordinator. Although the option of two chairpersons was discussed, both sides rejected it, saying such a model had already failed in the past. If Biplav’s faction joins, the idea of forming a collective leadership panel is also being considered.
Negotiations have reached the final stage, where the top leadership structure between Prachanda and Madhav will be finalized, followed by the formation of a joint secretariat and adjustment of other party committees by integrating officials from both sides.
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