"Joining Forces"

#12563900

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gestures during a unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from the CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. At that time, Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, the agreement does not work out.

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#12563901

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal (right) and former Home Minister Bamdev Gautam (left) hold a conversation during a unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger amid a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from the CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam at the time launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he would work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563904

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gestures during a unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from the CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. At that time, Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, the agreement does not work out.

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#12563905

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal gestures during a unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which was formed after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, is given the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, the agreement does not work out.

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#12563906

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Home Minister and communist leader Bamdev Gautam gestures during a unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which was formed after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, holds the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from the CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. At that time, Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he would work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella without joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563907

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal (Center), Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal (R), and Former Home Minister Bamdev Gautam (L) attend the communist party unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam at the time launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563908

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Home Minister and communist leader Bamdev Gautam addresses the communist party unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), but Gautam chooses not to join the new party. At that time, Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he would work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella without joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563909

18 July 2025

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-Unified Socialist Madhav Kumar Nepal (right) hugs former Home Minister and Chairman of CPN Unity National Campaign Bamdev Gautam (left) following the unification announcement of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563911

18 July 2025

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-Unified Socialist Madhav Kumar Nepal (right) hugs former Home Minister and Chairman of CPN Unity National Campaign Bamdev Gautam (left) following the unification announcement of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563912

18 July 2025

Former Prime Minister and leader of CPN-Unified Socialist Jhalanath Khanal (right) hugs former Home Minister and chairman of CPN Unity National Campaign Bamdev Gautam (left) following the unification announcement of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam at the time launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he would work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, agreements do not work out. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli

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#12563915

18 July 2025

Former Prime Minister and chairman of CPN-Unified Socialist, Madhav Kumar Nepal, addresses the unification announcement event of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following the intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, agreements do not work out. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following the intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives

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#12563916

18 July 2025

Former Prime Minister and chairman of CPN-Unified Socialist, Madhav Kumar Nepal, addresses the unification announcement event of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following the intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, agreements do not work out. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following the intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives

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#12563917

18 July 2025

Former Home Minister and chairman of CPN Unity National Campaign, Bamdev Gautam, gestures during the unification announcement event of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN- Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN- Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. At that time, Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella without joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, agreements do not work out. The CPN- Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN- Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former

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#12563918

18 July 2025

Former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal (Center), Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal (R), and Former Home Minister Bamdev Gautam (L) attend the communist party unification announcement event in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam at the time launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, an agreement does not work out.

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#12563902

18 July 2025

Communist leaders of Nepal stand in honor of the national anthem during the unification announcement ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN-Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN-Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following an intra-party rift. According to the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and have been operating separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, the agreement does not work out.

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#12563913

18 July 2025

Former Home Minister and chairman of CPN Unity National Campaign, Bamdev Gautam (Right), exchanges greetings with another communist leader, Ghanshyam Bhusal, following the unification announcement of two splinter communist parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 18, 2025. The CPN- Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN- Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist, led by KP Sharma Oli, following the intra-party rift. As per the merger agreement, Gautam, also a former Home Minister, receives the third most senior position in the Unified Socialist after party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal. The Unified Socialist and the group led by Gautam split from the CPN-UML in 2021 and operate separately since. Over the past four years, both sides engage in formal and informal negotiations towards party reunification. In 2021, after breaking off from CPN-UML, both former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal form the CPN (Unified Socialist), while Gautam chooses not to join the new party. Gautam at the time launches his own CPN Unity National Campaign, announcing he will work to bring all the communist forces under a single umbrella by not joining any side, the CPN-UML, US, or the Maoist Center. Though multiple rounds of talks are initiated, agreements do not work out. The CPN- Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announce their merger during a ceremony at City Hall in the capital, Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, formally joins the CPN- Unified Socialist, which forms after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist, led by KP Sharma Oli, following the intra

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