JSP, Unified Socialist in merger talks

KATHMANDU: CPN (Unified Socialist) and the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) are in discussions to merge.

Unified Socialist Spokesperson Jagannath Khatiwada. Khatiwada Monday confirmed that leaders from both parties have held talks on the matter. “Don’t be surprised if the two parties unite. We are in discussions,” he said, addressing media persons after the party’s politburo meeting

Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) has supported the seven-party coalition government led by CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, but it has not yet decided whether to join the government. Unified Socialist, on the other hand, is considering whether to join the coalition. The party held a meeting of its politburo to discuss the matter but failed to reach any conclusion on Monday.

If the parties’ merger talks are successful, they will form the fourth largest party in the House of Representatives with 22 seats. JSP has 12 seats, while Unified Socialist has 10 seats in the House of Representatives.