Four years after the split in the party, leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) and Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC (D)) expressed their commitment for unification of the two parties.
Speaking at an interaction in the capital on Thursday, they said that unity between the two parties requires strong commitment on the part of the top leaders.
They also said that as there has been no disparity along the lines of principle between the two parties, the process of unification should constitute democratic practice.
Joint general secretary of NC, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, said the unification process has already begun so the “necessary but lengthy process” will certainly take place, but it is time consuming and needs patience from all sides. “The desire of unification has been expressed from both sides and it is a time to show commitment,” he added.
General Secretary of NC(D), Prakash Man Singh, said unification is possible in the condition that a respectable atmosphere is provided for the NC(D) leaders and workers. All active members should be recognised and unification campaign should be launched from the grass-root level, he said.
Dr Narayan Khadka of NC(D) said both the parties are now eager to go for unification, as there is no reason why they should stay divided. “Since democracy is at stake and both parties have the same common target of securing democracy, it is the high time to go for unification,” he said.
NC leader Shashank Koirala was of the view that the unification between the NC and its breakaway faction NC(D) was crucial to make the people’s mass movement successful.
The party divided into two factions in 2002 due to differences on the political situation of the country at that time.
After the two leaders met, NC president Girija Prasad Koirala and NC(D) president Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday said they had begun the process of unity between the two parties.
Koirala, at a meeting held at his residence at Maharajgunj on Thursday, briefed NC Central Working Committee (CWC) members about the talks with Deuba.
He also talked about the issue of unification with the CWC members.