Seven political parties decide to form Progressive Front

KATHMANDU: Seven political parties have decided to form the Progressive Front to provide a forward-looking political way out for the country.

The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Janamat Party, Aam Janata Party, Progressive Democratic Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Nepal Federal Socialist Party, and Bahujan Unit Party Nepal are in discussion to form the Front.

The alliance will be formally announced amid a ceremony in Kathmandu on August 8, leaders say.

According to Jitendra Sonal, former Chief Minister of Madhes Province and a leader of JSP Nepal, a meeting of the top leaders of the parties held in Kathmandu on Monday decided to launch the Front.

“We will make public a concept paper outlining the front’s objectives, working direction and principles during the launching event,” he added.

Sonal added that the alliance has become necessary at a time when challenges to safeguarding the constitution and key achievements such as federalism are growing.

“It has become necessary to defend the federal democratic republic. We will continue to move forward with that objective,” he said. “We have concluded that a united front is needed to protect the gains achieved through various movements.”

Although the front is initially being formed as a seven-party alliance, Sonal said discussions were underway with other parties to expand it further.