UML, ML begin informal merger talks

February 1, 2002
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Feburary 01, 2002

KATHMANDU:  Informal merger talks between the Nepal Communist Party (UML) and its splinter group the Nepal Communist Party (ML) was held over tea at the UML head office in Balkhu Friday. Senior leaders of both the parties attended the tea party.

The UML, the main opposition in parliament, Thursday sent a second letter to the ML in seven days seeking detailed clarifications for merger. The UML sent the letter Thursday after a meeting of its standing committee. The ML has formed a three-member unification talks team headed by Radha Krishna Mainali.

The two communist parties split four years ago; after the split the UML lost general elections three years ago to the Nepali Congress while the ML was decimated and did not win a single seat in the parliamentary elections.

The parties split over the parliamentary ratification of the controversial Mahakali Treaty with India in 1996; the UML has agreed to study the treaty as demanded by the ML for reunification.