Kathmandu, November 5

The official announcement of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) was made today in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu as at least 10 political parties, including the CPN-MC and CPN (US), came together and announced the new party.

The communist party unity conference approved a proposal to appoint Pushpa Kamal Dahal as party coordinator and Madhav Kumar Nepal as co-coordinator. Leader Mahendra Ray Yadav had proposed appointing a coordinator and a co-coordinator. The proposal was approved unanimously.

The conference announced the guiding principle of the unified party is 'Marxism-Leninism' and the programme is 'scientific socialism with Nepali characteristics'. The election symbol of the newly formed communist party, 'Five-pointed Star', was also unveiled at the party declaration programme. Party top leaders and activists, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal, coordinator of the CPN-MC; Madhav Kumar Nepal, president of the CPN (US); senior CPN-MC leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha; senior leader of CPN (US) Bamdev Gautam; Mahendra Ray Yadav, chair of the Nepal Socialist Party; and Chiran Pun, general secretary of the Nepal Communist Party, among other leaders and party activists, attended the unity declaration gathering.

Addressing the unification, NCP Coordinator Dahal noted that today is a historic day for the Nepali communist movement. Dahal also stated that this could be the first time that 10 communist parties have gathered at once.

'The Nepali communist movement will always remember this day in history,' Dahal stated. 'This unity is truly unprecedented, perhaps on a day when 10 parties came together on a single day, by leaders who have all gone through ideological struggles in their own places.'

Speaking at the event, Deputy Coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal urged Generation Z to work together and advance. He urged others to join the party, claiming that Gen Z youths had just been endorsed by the CPN (US) Party's central office.

'The young members of Generation Z who are currently in negotiations with the party have our support,' he said, adding, 'I also want to encourage other members of Generation Z to join us and move forward.'

Meanwhile, party leader Dev Gurung unveiled the newly-formed party's 23-point manifesto during the meeting. The declaration includes commitments to the socialist revolution and programmes, amendments to strengthen federalism, including the protection of the constitution, control of corruption and good governance, the establishment of a property investigation commission and steps to prosecute corrupt individuals, and the provision of basic services such as health and education.

Efforts to protect the rights of the excluded and disadvantaged, to build a self-sufficient economy, and to combat poverty are among the 23 points of the declaration.

Nepal Communist Party's leader, Narayana Kaji Shrestha, stated that today's unity declaration should lay the groundwork for the communist movement's overall unification and reorganisation.

'This party unification should be the first step towards the overall unification and reorganisation of the Nepali communist movement. Some of our friends from the parties are outside while we announce today's unity. They ought to be included in this as well.'