KATHMANDU, MAY 18

A letter confirming Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal's leader Rajendra Mahato's status as parliamentary party leader has been registered at the Federal Parliament's secretariat.

JSP-N chair Mahanta Thakur had forwarded the letter to Parliament-secretariat which was registered by the latter upon receipt.

The Upendra Yadav-Baburam Bhattarai faction of the party, however, has been refusing to accept Mahato's appointment calling it a unilateral decision taken without the consensus of the majority.

Earlier today, a joint statement was issued by Mahantha Thakur and Upendra Yadav stating that the party will remain in the opposition, clarifying that the party might reconsider the aforementioned decision if it gets an opportunity to lead an all-party government'

The statement which had urged its members to work towards strengthening party unity stands challenged with the recent decision to forward a letter regarding Mahato's appointment.

It is to be noted that the party stood divided on matters pertaining to continuity of KP Sharma Oli's government as the Yadav-Bhattarai faction is strongly opposed to the idea of supporting Oli while the Thakur-Mahato faction has been providing Oli rock-solid support in recent times - despite being sworn political rivals once.