Kathmandu: A tripartite agreement has been signed between the National Independent Party (RSP), the Ujyalo Nepal Party (UNP) and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Sah (Balen).

According to the agreement reached on Monday night, the leadership structure of the party will include Rabi Lamichhane as central president and Kulman Ghising as vice president. Dol Prasad Aryal and Swarnim Wagle have also been named as vice presidents.

The agreement was signed by RSP President Rabi Lamichhane and UNP President Anup Kumar Upadhyay, with Mayor Balen signing as a witness.

As per the agreement, the name and election symbol of the former RSP will remain unchanged after the merger. It also states that other cultured and change-oriented alternative political forces, groups and individuals will be invited to advance the agenda of democratic good governance, progress and social justice under the principles, leadership and election symbol of the RSP, ‘Bell’.

The memorandum of understanding notes a shared commitment to building a new political force based on an egalitarian system within a pluralistic democratic framework, guided by a liberal economy with social justice and equitable national progress.

The agreement also recognizes the sacrifices of martyrs and the injured from various people’s movements, including the Genji Movement of Bhadra 23 and 24, as a source of inspiration. It commits to addressing the demands of the injured and martyrs’ families while embracing the spirit of the youth-led movement against corruption and misrule.

According to the memorandum, the parties have pledged to work towards a bright and self-reliant economy, delivery-based politics, merit-based governance, zero tolerance for corruption and good governance. They have also committed to the honest implementation of a roadmap aimed at making Nepal a respectable middle-income nation within the next ten years through deep policy, institutional and structural reforms.

It has further been stated that following the unification, the Ujyalo Nepal Party’s campaign, along with youth activists and experienced experts, will be integrated into the party structure and assigned responsibilities based on competence, inclusiveness and public image.

Earlier, an agreement had been reached between Mayor Balen and RSP President Lamichhane, under which Balen joined the RSP. As per that understanding, he was to contest elections under the RSP’s election symbol and serve as the parliamentary party leader, with the party considering him for the prime ministerial role if given the opportunity.

Following the latest agreement, Kulman Ghising has also decided to join the RSP as vice president.
After the agreement, Mayor Balen wrote on social media, “I want to see Nepal smile.”