Kathmandu, October 9

The Nepal Democratic Forum led by Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar is likely to merge with the Nepali Congress.

The two parties principally agreed to be united, but few things are yet to be settled, according to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Press coordinator Govinda Pariyar. “Talks are being held between the two parties but the date of unification has not been finalised yet,” said Pariyar.

Co-chair of NDF Ramjanam Chaudhary said that it would take time to forge consensus in the party to take a decision on the issue.

“Such a big decision should not be taken in haste. It should be discussed in party’s committees first,” said Chaudhary.

Vice-chair of NDF Jitendra Narayan Dev, who is also the minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation, however, said that his party had been holding discussion on forging alliance for upcoming provincial and the parliamentary elections.

“We are holding discussion on forging an electoral alliance, but not on merging the party,” said Dev. He said NDF leaders were surprised when they heard rumours of the party’s possible merger with NC.

Gachhadar was previously in the NC and had won parliamentary elections held in 1991, 1994 and 1999. He was also a leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) after NC split.