The Gopal Kirati-led Deshbhakt Samajbadi Morcha has officially merged with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). Kirati had split from the Maoist party in 2017, accusing party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal of stepping back from the agenda of an identity-based federal system.

Kirati, who had once criticised the Maoists, returned to the mother party citing adverse political circumstances. He reached a three-point agreement with Maoist Centre chief Dahal before rejoining.

The agreement highlights a priority on unity and consolidation among revolutionaries amid unprecedented political risks in Nepal. It also calls for the formation of a task force to document and objectively review past ideological, political, and organisational mistakes.

As per the agreement, the review aims to guide unity and socialist transformation from the grassroots.

The agreement also includes structured discussions within the party on Kirati’s vision of socialist democracy.

The parties called for strengthening socialist consolidation across domestic and international movements, including workers, farmers, landless people, financially exploited groups, and displaced communities. They pledge to promote socialist ideology.

They said the initiative aims to defend Nepal’s sovereignty, integrity, and resources, advance a socialist-oriented state, and challenge entrenched bureaucratic and capitalist governance, with active participation from Gen Z youths.

Kirati’s return to the mother party comes a day after eight communist groups, including the Maoist Centre and the CPN (Unified Socialist), have decided to merge into a single party, with Dahal as coordinator and Unified Socialist chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal as co-coordinator.

Negotiation team coordinator Beduram Bhusal confirmed the decision.

According to the 17-point unity agreement signed on Sunday evening, the new party will be named Nepal Communist Party (Socialist) and use the five-pointed star as its election symbol. “The agreement for Prachanda [Dahal] as coordinator and Madhav Nepal as co-coordinator has been finalised,” Bhusal said. “The unity will be officially announced at the National Unity Conference on November 5.”

Bhusal stated that after the party announcement, a merger application will be submitted to the Election Commission for parties already registered. “After registration, we will begin preparations for elections,” he said.

Following the merger of the eight parties, a central committee of around 1,000 members will be formed, including central members from all the parties. Additionally, central committees of all eight parties will participate in the National Unity Conference, which will formally announce the party merger, adopt the manifesto and interim statute, and form the central committee.