KATHMANDU: The Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic and two fringe parties on Wednesday announced the merger and formed the Nepal Democratic Forum.

The MJF-D, Shiva Lal Thapa-led Rastriya Janamukti Party-Democratic and Yashoda Kumari Lama-led Dalit Janajati Party today announced that they jointly formed the NDF under the leadership of Gachhadar.

The three leaders announced the unification amid a function in the Capital today.

With the merger, the NDF became the fifth largest party in the Parliament with 17 members including 14 from Gachhadar's MJF-D, two from Thapa's RJP-D and one from DJP (Lama herself).

Earlier, the Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal was the fifth largest party with 15 lawmakers, one more than Gachhadar's MJF-D.

In a statement issued at the unification ceremony, the three top leaders claimed that the merger was decided to give the nation political stability and build a unified and prosperous nation.

They also said they had hoped to establish the leadership of the unified party in the government leadership.