KATHMANDU: Constituent Assembly member and joint general secretary of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Ram Kumar Sharma today formally joined the UCPN-Maoist.

Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and other senior party leaders welcomed him organising a function. Prachanda said at the function that the entry of a senior Madhes-based leader into his party at this difficult time would have a historic meaning.

"With his entry, a message will spread that the UCPN-M is the only party that works for the liberation of the Madhesi people." Sharma had deserted CPN-UML in 2000 to join the Maoist movement. He later quit CPN-Maoist to form the MJF. Until recently he was with the TMDP. His last-minute assault to the TMDP -- it was a party comprising former corrupt leaders of NC and UML.