KATHMANDU, Oct 30: Three years after splitting from the CPN-UML, the CPN (Unified Socialist) is now grappling with internal rifts over whether to merge with the CPN (Maoist Centre) or continue as an independent party. While party Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has already proposed unification with the Maoist Centre, senior leaders including Jhala Nath Khanal and General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal remain uncertain about whether to return to UML or rebuild the current party structure.
General Secretary Bhusal has long been advocating for reorganizing the existing party instead of merging. Leaders such as Kisan Shrestha, Bhanubhakta Joshi, Prem Ale and Dhan Bahadur Budha are reportedly inclined toward rejoining the UML. Bhusal has made it clear that if unification with the Maoist Centre occurs, both Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepal must step down from leadership positions.
During the Central Committee (CC) meeting that began on Wednesday, Chairman Nepal firmly stated that he would neither relinquish his leadership role nor return to UML. The meeting convened to discuss party unification with the Maoist Centre, saw Nepal reiterate that returning to UML was out of the question.
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Chairman Nepal accused UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli of continuing to insult him and remarked that those wishing to return to UML could “go their own way.” However, leaders like Khanal, Bhusal and Ramkumari Jhakri have maintained a firm stance in favor of reorganizing the current party while opposing a merger with the Maoist Centre.
In his political report presented at the meeting, Chairman Nepal hinted at moving toward unification with the Maoist Centre. He recalled that the very first CC meeting after the party’s formation had passed a proposal emphasizing cooperation among leftist forces and working through alliances to lay the foundation for unification.
“In line with our declared policy, we have been focusing on strengthening the Socialist Front and actively engaging in it,” Nepal stated in his report. “Although the Front may not have achieved all its goals, it has played a crucial role—for example, organizing the anti-regression rally at Bhrikutimandap on March 28, 2025. The significance of such alliances should not be forgotten. From the beginning, we have emphasized unity among revolutionary communists, particularly those adhering to socialist ideology and programs.”
Nepal argued that a strong revolutionary force is essential to achieving a socialist revolution, presenting his political document as a step toward creating a conducive environment for unification. Leaders close to him claim that 99 percent of party members favor merging with the Maoist Centre, a sentiment reflected in his report.
“The creation of a powerful revolutionary force is possible only through the unification of revolutionary communist parties,” Nepal stated. “However, such unity cannot be achieved without a clear foundation. For genuine unification, there must be consensus on fundamental issues such as the party’s name, guiding principles, organizational structure, strategic goals, revolutionary program, direction, and policies.”
Meanwhile, leader Jhakri has objected to the central leadership’s move to add new members in the name of promoting unification. General Secretary Bhusal also openly opposed the decision during Thursday’s meeting. With Bhusal and Jhakri now backed by senior leader Khanal, signs of a possible party split have begun to emerge.
