A total of three fringe parties on Saturday formed a working alliance ahead of the vice-presidential election scheduled for next week.

In an agreement forged in the run-up to the vice-presidential election the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, the Janamat Party and the Nagarik Unmukti Party said they have decided to work together based on mutual understanding.

The agreement has been signed by Loktantrik Samajbadi Chairman Mahanta Thakur, Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut and Nagarik Unmukti Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha.

Janamat Party Chair Raut said the parties have agreed to move ahead by collaborating on agendas including the vice-presidential election, citizenship bill, withdrawal of cases against protesters, addressing issues of Madhesh and Tharuhat protests and implementation of past accords.

Earlier on January 8, the Janamat Party and the Nagarik Unmukti Party had signed an agreement to move ahead by forging a working alliance.

The Janamat Party secured six federal seats while the Nagarik Unmukti Party won four seats in the last year’s polls. The Loktantrik Samajbadi Party has four seats in the House of Representatives.

The parties are partners of the current ruling coalition. However, the Janamat Party fielded its candidate for the presidential election after the alliance failed to finalise a common candidate for the post. The party has also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, a candidate from the Janata Samajbadi Party.

The Election Commission has scheduled the vice-presidential election for March 17.