In a bid to revive Nepal’s fading communist influence, the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist), along with seven other little-known leftist parties, on Sunday agreed to merge into a single party in the wake of the anti-corruption Gen Z movement that toppled the CPN-UML-led government.

However, political analysts and party insiders doubt the alliance’s effectiveness, citing the absence of major leaders, weak grassroots support, and a lack of concrete agenda to address public grievances.

The newly formed party, yet to be named, aspires to become a major communist force but seems to have faced setbacks at the very first stage, as sections of party members including some key leaders from the Maoist Centre as well as from the Unified Socialist have announced not to join the unification process.

From the Maoist Centre, Janardan Sharma, and from the Unified Socialist, senior leader Jhalanath Khanal along with General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal, have said they will not be part of the merger.

Some of the groups joining the proposed party reportedly lack any significant grassroots influence. In such a situation, analysts believe there is a reason to doubt the effectiveness and influence of the new communist party.

“Political strength does not grow merely by counting leaders. In the changed political context, only a political party that could come up with an agenda to address the grievances raised during the Gen Z movement and those of ordinary people can get the political momentum,” said Hari Roka, a left political analyst.

“How Nepali Congress and CPN-UML adapt in the changed context will determine the strength of the new political party formed after the merger of old communist parties and groups,” Roka said.

He added that the strength of the old political parties in the new course could not be assumed unless they underwent people’s vetting, and the only clear indicator would be the programme and agenda the party carries forward.

Another left political analyst Khagendra Prasai concurs with Roka.

Eight communist parties, including the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) agreed to unite on Sunday. They have decided to hold a joint meeting of the unified party on Wednesday.

Following discussions held at the central office of the Maoist Centre in Parisdanda, representatives of the eight parties signed a unity agreement. The document bears the signatures of Maoist Centre chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Unified Socialist chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, Janasamajwadi Party Nepal chair Subasraj Kafle, Nepal Socialist Party chair Mahindra Raya Yadav, CPN General Secretary Chiran Pun, CPN Socialist chair Raju Karki, CPN Maoist Socialist chair Karnajit Budhathoki, and CPN Communist chair Prem Bahadur Singh.

On Monday, Maoist Centre chief Dahal and CPN (Revolutionary Maoist) coordinator Gopal Kirati signed an agreement, bringing the total number of parties to unify to nine.

Unified Socialist leaders said the new party may be named the Nepal Communist Party (Socialist).

Amid the merger decision, some CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders and cadres fear the party might abandon the legacy and ideology carried during the decade-long insurgency.

They worry that unity with the party of former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is facing a corruption case at the Special Court, may bring no real benefit.

They argue that neither Nepal nor the other unifying parties have a strong electoral base.

Except for the Maoist Centre and the Unified Socialist, other groups included in the merger process have yet to be tested by the people.

While many are expressing doubts about the merger, a Maoist Centre leader said he is hopeful about its progress but expects little political impact. Yubraj Chaulagain, Maoist Centre leader added that the communist movement is in a serious crisis, so it is reasonable for those with similar political views to come together, and that a larger size could have a positive impact.

“It is high time for the reformation and refinement of communist parties. In our context we are more inclined towards leadership management and are election oriented,” Chaulagain said. “If we fail to sense the demand for change and remain trapped in the political labyrinth, forming new parties with the same old faces will not give positive results.”

Bhim Bhurtel, another political analyst, said in today’s post-modern political scenario where ideology has less relevance, real strength lies in the digital reach of any individual or the party.

In such a context, Bhurtel believes that the traditional communist parties on the verge of collapse are uniting to maintain their relevance.

Considering the strength of the newly formed communist party, Bhurtel also believes that it will largely depend on the programmes it adopts in the coming days.