Five dissident leaders of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) have quit the party to forge political alliance with CPN-UML.

Former Minister and one of the presidium members of the RJP Nepal, Hridayesh Tripathi, B K Gupta, Pashupati Dayal Mishra, Ishwor Dayal Mishra and Jagdish Shukla have announced the formation of an independent group.

According to a joint statement signed by CPN-UML General Secretary and the RJPN dissidents on Monday, the independent leaders and activists have announced to contest in the upcoming provincial and federal parliamentary elections with the CPN-UML’s election symbol sun.

However, the leaders have not joined the CPN-UML.

It is learnt, if the leaders get elected, they will have to work under the CPN-UML’s whip for the next five years.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure justice, equality and prosperity for the people of Tarai Madhes by ending exploitation, oppression and discrimination. Therefore, we have agreed to collaborate for the economic development and social justice to all Nepali citizens and amend constitution as per the necessity of the situation and time,” the statement read.

Six Madhes-based parties had merged to form RJP Nepal on April 20, 2017.  The six parties include Mahantha Thakur-led Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhawana Party, Sharat Singh Bhandari-led Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party, Mahendra Yadav-led Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party and Rajkishor Yadav-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum- Ganatantrik and Anil Jha-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party.