KATHMANDU, Sept 2: Infighting in the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) has deepened as the party struggles to reach to a decision on proposed merger with Samajwadi Party Nepal (SPN). RJPN presidium members spent much of Sunday afternoon weighing on two available options -- go to a merger or hold the first general convention. But the meeting ended inconclusively after six-member presidium failed to forge a consensus on the issue.
“Most of the leaders are in favor of merger but they want further clarity on power sharing deal. It would still take time for some clarity as leaders are buying time for further clarity on power sharing deal,” said a leader involved in negotiation with SPN.
RJPN presidium members have been divided along two factions since SPN made a formal request for merger in June.
RJPN brass divided over joining govt
Sources said that Mahanta Thakur, Rajendra Mahato, Mahendra Raya Yadav and Sharat Singh Bhandari have stood in favor of merger given that there is a fair power- sharing deal between the two parties. But RJPN presidium coordinator Rajkishore Yadav and Anil Kumar Jha are against the merger. Yadav had called on a meeting of political committee as preparation for the first general convention before later cancelling it under pressure from other presidium members.
Mahato recently told Republica that his party was waiting for a clear proposal on power sharing and organization before resuming formal talks on merger.
Leaders said that SPN was yet to come up with a clear deal on merger.
Accommodation of top leaders has been seen as one of the thorniest issues in the merger between the two parties which run a coalition government in Province 2.
Interlocutors said that SPN Chair Upendra Yadav has proposed forming a secretariat so as to include all leaders without assigning clear portfolio to most of the premium members.
