KATHMANDU: UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said parties following the Maoist ideology would unite within few weeks.

Addressing a function organised to mark the 21st anniversary of the day when it began the armed conflict at the party headquarters in Koteshwor of Kathmandu today, Dahal said unification among Maoist and Communist parties was a must for forwarding the nation ahead toward socialism.

"Various Maoist leaders have said in their statements that unification among Maoist factions is a must," Dahal said mentioning Mohan Baidya, Matrika Yadav, Mani Thapa and Netra Bikram Chand, "So, the unification process will take a concrete shape within weeks."

The Maoist leader claimed that he had wished to mark the anniversary with all the factions together.

"Some processes (toward that end) have moved ahead," he explained, "but, some preparations are yet to be carried out (for unification)."

'Number One party within two years'

Dahal also announced to make the UCPN-Maoist the largest party within next two years.

Recently the party has been carrying out party reconstruction campaign and it would result into the strongest party, according to Dahal.

"We need to build this party," Dahal added, "Only this party can protect our nationality."

"No one can stop it," he hoped.

'Socialist nation within 10 years'

Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister expressed his hope that his party would turn Nepal into a socialist nation within next 10 years.

Dahal said he spent last 20 years in waging an armed conflict for the Constituent Assembly and drafting a progressive Constitution from the people-elected body; hence, it would be possible to establish socialism in next 10 years if the party remained strong.

Though the new Constitution is progressive, it cannot meet desires of the party, he added, "What we have longed is socialism."

Hinting at Baburam Bhattarai, who left the party few months ago, he said they would not be successful to introduce socialist economic system in the nation.

"They talked about bourgeoisie model of economic development," he said, "But we need economic prosperity with social justice."