Hours after unification deal, Janata Samajwadi Party registers with EC

Published On: April 23, 2020 12:03 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Photos: Keshab Thoker/ Republica

KATHMANDU, April 23: Janata Samajwadi Party has been officially registered at the Election Commission on Thursday.

The development comes hours after the Samajwadi Party Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party announced to merge and launch a new political party Wednesday night. The registration number of the new party at the election body is 1388.

Leaders of the two parties, including chairpersons, informed the EC that they have already sealed the unification deal to launch the new party. Leader of the RJP-N Rajendra Mahato said that they are now in process of completing the unification at the earliest. "We informed the EC about our decision to have the new political party," he told reporters on the EC premises.

As per the unification deal reached between the two parties, the new political party will be named "Janata Samajwadi Party". The unification document was signed by Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra Mahato, Mahendra Raya Yadav and Saratsingh Bhandari on behalf of the RJPN while Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Upendra Yadav, Ashok Rai and Rajendra Shrestha signed the document on behalf of Samajwadi Party.

The new development came barely two days after President Bidya Devi Bhandari issued an ordinance, paving room for the parties to split.

As per the new deal, the new party will use the flag of Samajwadi Party and umbrella as its election symbol.

MPs Surendra Yadav, Istiyak Rai, Pradeep Yadav, Umashankar Argariya, Kaludevi Biswakarma and Renuka Gurung held a secret meeting at MP Renu Yadav's residence in New Baneswor.

On Tuesday evening, President Bhandari issued the ordinance related to amendment in the provisions of the Political Party Act. The new ordinance allows leaders of a political party to split the party if they have 40 per cent support either in the central committee or the parliamentary party.

The second ordinance makes it possible to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Council even without the participation of the main opposition party leader. The Constitutional Council, headed by the prime minister, makes constitutional appointments.