The two parties that had split some years back to form separate organizations decided last year to reunite in a single party.[break]
Addressing a press meet, RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa emphasized the need of strengthening unity among democratic forces. "Alliance among democratic parties has become more relevant in recent days," said former prime minister Thapa.
RPP Chairman Pashupati Shamsher JB Rana said that all sides needed to be alert to the fact that the Maoists may resort to the use of arms and former Maoist combatants to influence voting in the new Constituent Assembly (CA) elections as well. "The chances of the Maoists using arms, huge amounts of money and former Maoist fighters are very high. So, everyone should be aware of this," said Rana.
Though leaders from both the parties have opposed the formation of an election government under the leadership of a sitting chief justice, they announced that they are to participate in the elections.
The leaders said that they would not boycott the polls since both the parties support periodic elections and electing new lawmakers through fresh elections had become urgent in the present context.
They said leaders from the two parties would concentrate their unified force for new elections after a joint leadership leads the unified party after the general convention.
The two parties have already named the new party Rastriya Shakti Prajatantra Party, and have elected joint leaderships in the districts. Meanwhile, a 151-member organizing committee has been formed to hold the general convention and 17 thematic committees constituted.
The parties have nominated Bhuwan Pathak as press coordinator and Kiran Giri as assistant coordinator for the general convention.
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