A new political force—the Nepali Communist Party (NCP)—has been officially announced at an event held in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, on Wednesday. The announcement marks the unification of 10 different communist factions into a single party, seen as a major shift in Nepal’s left-wing politics.

During the unity declaration ceremony, it was decided that Pushpa Kamal Dahal will serve as the party’s coordinator, while Madhav Kumar Nepal will take the role of co-coordinator. The proposal, put forward by leader Mahendra Raya Yadav, was endorsed by the assembly.

Senior leader Jhalanath Khanal of the CPN (Unified Socialist) has been given third priority in the newly-formed party, following an agreement among top leaders, including Dahal, earlier on Wednesday morning. Previously, Bamdev Gautam had been designated third, but Khanal’s dissatisfaction over the unity process led to negotiations. Eventually, he agreed to join the NCP with third priority and attended the announcement ceremony. The hierarchy now places Dahal first, Nepal second, Khanal third, Gautam fourth, and Narayan Kaji Shrestha fifth.

Khanal had held talks with CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli just a day earlier, expressing reservations about the unity process and even hinting at initiating party reorganization. However, he eventually sided with the Dahal-Nepal faction.

The National Unity Convention of the newly-formed NCP endorsed nine key resolutions, which include decisions on the party’s name, election symbol, property and organizational structure. The proposals, presented by leader Barsaman Pun, were approved with applause from representatives.

The key resolutions include:

• Formation of the unified party named the Nepali Communist Party (NCP).
• Adoption of a five-pointed star as the election symbol.
• Recognition of all members of uniting parties as members of the NCP.
• Integration of central committees and structures of all uniting parties under the new organization.
• Authorization to the coordinator and co-coordinator to finalize organizational adjustments.
• Declaration that all people’s representatives elected under previous party symbols (Maoist Center, Unified Socialist, Socialist Party and Maoist Socialist) will now represent the NCP.
• Transfer of all movable and immovable assets of the merging parties to the NCP.
• Endorsement of the party’s official manifesto.
• Adoption of the party’s constitution with necessary suggestions and amendments.

At the ceremony, leader Dev Gurung unveiled the party’s 23-point declaration, emphasizing unity and renewal in Nepal’s leftist movement.

The 23-point declarations:

• To steadfastly uphold Nepal’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, dignity, and independence.
• To work with honesty, loyalty, and dedication toward the nation and its people.
• To remain firm in the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism and apply them creatively according to Nepal’s specific conditions.
• To remain committed to the socialist revolution and program, and to move firmly toward achieving the great goal of establishing scientific socialism as envisioned by the party since its inception.
• To remain committed to democratic republicanism, protect the achievements of the people’s revolution, and work toward strengthening the republic and reforming and restructuring all state organs as necessary.
• To defend the current Constitution of Nepal while taking proactive initiatives to introduce progressive reforms in the governance system, electoral process, federal structure, and by reducing the number of local levels and representatives.
• To continuously strive to end corruption, irregularities, and delays, and to promote good governance, transparency, social justice, and national prosperity.
• To take effective initiatives to establish a high-level, empowered Property Investigation Commission to investigate the assets of all individuals who have held public office and take strict action against the corrupt.
• To make public service delivery efficient, fast, and effective, and to ensure public access to basic services such as education and health.
• To fight against all forms of exploitation, oppression, injustice, discrimination, inequality, and social distortions present in the current Nepali society.
• To struggle for ensuring the rights of women, Dalits, the oppressed, minorities, marginalized communities, indigenous nationalities, and all classes, castes, and regions excluded from the state’s mainstream.
• To prioritize research and development and advance the overall development of the nation.
• To take special initiatives to develop an independent and self-reliant economy, create employment opportunities, and eradicate poverty.
• To work toward the economic, social, and cultural transformation of Nepali society by prioritizing the development of agriculture, industries based on domestic raw materials, tourism, and hydropower through well-planned strategies.
• To conduct development campaigns that ensure the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• To remain committed to formulating climate change and environment-friendly development plans and to effective disaster management.
• To raise the voices of the people and stand with them in their joys and sorrows.
• To address the issues and aspirations of the GenZ generation.
• To review past activities comprehensively, correct shortcomings, and move ahead with broad improvements, restructuring, and transformation in working style.
• To strengthen internal democracy within the party and develop and implement a scientific system for leadership development and transfer.
• To engage all party leaders and cadres in productive and labor-oriented work.
• To strictly adhere to communist conduct, discipline, and ethics.
• To adopt a simple and transparent lifestyle and working approach.

Addressing the event, Coordinator Dahal has credited the GenZ movement for playing a crucial role in forging unity among ten communist factions. He said the sacrifices made by the GenZ protesters exposed the weaknesses within political parties and inspired them to reform.

“The GenZ youth, who came to the streets on Sept 8 demanding good governance and stability while opposing corruption and political disorder, deeply struck us. Their movement made us realize our shortcomings,” he said. “Their sacrifices inspired us to correct our mistakes and begin a new campaign for transformation.”

Paying repeated tributes to the “martyrs of the GenZ movement,” Dahal said their role was instrumental in pushing the communist leaders toward unity. “Had they not made those sacrifices, we might not have realized our weaknesses and initiated this new phase of unity so soon,” he said. He further pledged that the new party will prioritize the aspirations and needs of the youth not only in the party structure but also in state institutions. “This is a historic commitment and a moment of self-reflection for us,” he added.

Calling Wednesday a “historic day” for the communist movement, Prachanda said, “Possibly, this is the first time that ten different communist groups have united at once. This unity, formed by leaders who have gone through ideological struggles in their respective fronts, is truly unprecedented.” He claimed that the day would be remembered as a milestone in Nepal’s communist and political history. “It is not only historic from the perspective of communist unity but also as a foundation for national unity to resolve the current political crisis,” he said.

Dahal further asserted that no one can stop the newly formed Nepali Communist Party from becoming the country’s number one political force. “Now, no one can stop this party from being the number one party in Nepal. Some reactionaries may lose sleep over it—let them. We will take this unity declaration campaign across the country,” he said. He also urged for humility despite the success. “While appealing for electoral mobilization and national support, we must not fall into arrogance,” he added.

Dahal emphasized that the party has no alternative but to correct its weaknesses. “We will take all advice and criticism seriously. There is no alternative to correcting our flaws and going among the people with full dedication,” he said.

Meanwhile, Co-ordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal appealed to the GenZ generation and social activists to join hands with the new party. “We are ready to work together with the GenZ generation for social justice, good governance, and against corruption,” he said, revealing that several GenZ leaders had joined the party earlier that morning. “I want to congratulate those who joined us and call upon other GenZ friends—let’s move forward together, hand in hand, against corruption, for good governance, and to correct the distortions seen in society and politics,” Nepal said.

He also expressed willingness to collaborate with social activists. “They shoulder great responsibility. We want to move forward with all campaigners working for social change, good governance, and the prosperity of the people,” he added.

Similarly, Narayan Kaji Shrestha stated that the new unity should serve as a foundation for comprehensive integration and reorganization of the communist movement. He also called for joint efforts with genuine democrats to defend the constitution, democracy, and national sovereignty, while urging ideological and cultural renewal within the party.

Meanwhile, Bamdev Gautam has claimed that the newly formed party’s membership will reach 10m. He said the party currently has around 1–1.2m members, but expects the number to rise to 10m as they reach out to the public.

Gautam also called for the introduction of a directly elected presidential system and a fully proportional electoral system. “We must end the current system that changes governments month after month and reform the state’s governance structure by establishing a directly elected president and implementing a fully proportional electoral system,” he said.