10 months ago
Nepal's Communist Parties Unite Amidst Splits Ahead of Elections
Imagine several groups of friends who used to play together but then split into smaller teams.
Now, some of these teams are getting back together to form one big team called the 'Nepali Communist Party.'
Two main friends, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, will be like co-captains.
They are doing this to be stronger, especially because there are new games (elections) coming soon.
However, not all friends are joining this big team.
Some friends are starting their own new playgroups, and others are thinking about joining a different, bigger existing team called CPN-UML.
There are also talks about what kind of games this new big team will play in the future.
Nine Nepalese communist parties, including Maoist Centre and CPN Unified Socialist, are merging to form the 'Nepali Communist Party'.
The new party will have a shared leadership structure with Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal as coordinators and will use a star as its election symbol.
This unification effort is seen as a response to political shifts, including the rise of the Gen-Z movement, and as a strategy for upcoming elections.
Some communist factions, such as a group led by Janardan Sharma and Ghanashyam Bhusal, are not joining the merger and are pursuing separate initiatives.
Other leaders, like Ramkumari Jhakri and Kisan Shrestha, are preparing to join the main opposition party, CPN-UML, with discussions also occurring between CPN-UML leadership and other communist figures.
- Who
- Maoist Centre, CPN Unified Socialist, six other smaller communist parties, a faction led by Janardan Sharma, Ghanashyam Bhusal, Ramkumari Jhakri, Kisan Shrestha, CPN-UML President KP Sharma Oli, and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal.
- What
- Several Nepalese communist parties are merging to form a new party called the 'Nepali Communist Party', while other factions are pursuing separate initiatives or considering alliances with existing parties.
- Where
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- When
- November 5, 2025
- Why
- To unite communist forces, strategize ahead of upcoming elections, and respond to political shake-ups intensified by the Gen-Z movement.
Factions Joining Merger
Factions Not Joining Merger
Party Unification
Factions Joining Merger
Nine Nepalese communist parties, including Maoist Centre and CPN Unified Socialist, are merging to form the 'Nepali Communist Party' with shared leadership between Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, and will use a star as its election symbol.
Factions Not Joining Merger
A group led by Janardan Sharma is launching 'Transparent Nepal'. Ghanashyam Bhusal is campaigning for 'Greater Left Unity'. Ramkumari Jhakri and Kisan Shrestha are preparing to announce their decision to join the CPN-UML.
Ideological Direction and Alliances
Factions Joining Merger
The merger is presented as a return to unity for previously split groups and a strategic move for upcoming elections.
Factions Not Joining Merger
Discussions are ongoing for potential entry into the CPN-UML, with suggestions that new entrants might need to accept the end of the party's multi-party approach to leftist ideology. CPN-UML President KP Sharma Oli has welcomed talks without preconditions.
Key facts
- Date of Merger Announcement
- November 5, 2025
- New Party Name
- Nepali Communist Party
- Election Symbol
- Star
- Leadership Structure
- Shared leadership expected between Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal as coordinators.
- Number of Parties Merging
- Nine
- Notable Merging Parties
- Maoist Centre, CPN Unified Socialist
Quotes
ANI
A news agency reporting from Kathmandu, Nepal.
“As the general elections approach, 9 political parties are all set to merge today (5th November) in Nepal to establish the ‘Nepali Communist Party.’”
thestatesman.com
