CHITWAN: CPN-UML organised a memorial event today at the former central office of the party in Balkhu to commemorate the 25th death anniversary of the then General Secretary Madan Bhandari and leader Jiwaraj Ashrit.

Prime Minister and Party Chair KP Sharma Oli, former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN MC Pushpa Kamal Dahal among other leaders of both the parties were present at the memorial meet.

The two parties which are headed towards a unification will register a new 'merged' party going by the name of Nepal Communist Party today. Leaders of both the parties said that the unification is an ode to the late leader who is said to have firmly established CPN-UML in mainstream politics.

Likewise, a condolence meeting has been held today at Dasdhunga in Chitwan district, where leaders Bhandari and Ashrit had met with a jeep accident.

Various leaders and cadres of the UML and CPN Maoist Centre including lawmaker Krishna Bhakta Pokharel, Minister of Province 3 for Agriculture and Cooperatives Dawa Dorje Lama, leader Keshab Lal Shrestha and district incharge of the CPN MC Ishwori Bhattarai attended the memorial service.

Speaking on the occasion, the attendants said the unification of the UML and the Maoist Centre would help realise dreams of the two late leaders. They also advised the party leaders and cadres to follow the path shown by Bhandari.