Naya Shakti Unites for National Progress with Santosh Pariyar

Kathmandu, November 15 -- The Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti), the Pragatisheel Rastriya Abhiyan, and former member of the House of Repr...

Kathmandu, November 15 -- The Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti), the Pragatisheel Rastriya Abhiyan, and former member of the House of Representatives Santosh Pariyar have entered into a pact to form a united front due to what they refer to as a severe economic and political crisis.

Naya Shakti was established by former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, while Pragatisheel Rastriya Abhiyan is headed by Janardan Sharma, who has recently departed from the CPN (Maoist Centre). Pariyar was a leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

The deal was finalized on Friday, with a commitment to combat corruption, joblessness, and favoritism, as well as to tackle the general dissatisfaction toward established political parties. The groups stated that the recent Gen Z protest highlighted the necessity for more extensive political reform.

They chose to hold a gathering on November 23 to officially declare the merger.

The signatories have invited progressive, democratic, left-wing, and nationalist groups, both domestically and internationally, especially younger individuals, to participate in what they refer to as a movement for political reform. They encouraged 'new and alternative' forces to unite in combating 'corrupt and unethical tendencies' via elections.

The pact was signed by Durga Sob, head of the Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti); Sudan Kirati, leader of Pragatisheel Rastriya Abhiyan, and Santosh Pariyar, former chief whip of the RSP.

Pariyar states that he was unable to formulate an idea within the RSP that represented Nepali society.

Santosh Pariyar, who was a member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party's secretariat, a parliament member, and the party's chief whip in the dissolved House of Representatives, stepped down from the RSP earlier on Friday.

He handed over his resignation to the party's acting president DP Aryal and General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti.

In a letter directed to Burlakoti, Pariyar conveyed his contentment with having played a role in reshaping Nepali society via alternative political efforts.

Nevertheless, he conveyed his disappointment regarding the inability to formulate an idea within the RSP that would represent the distinct nature and qualities of Nepali society.

In his letter, he stated that he has chosen to step down because he felt the urge to participate in a new type of political campaign, referencing the necessity to adapt to the evolving political landscape and align with the post-Gen Z generation.

"The duty of reshaping Nepali political movements, redefining ideas, and restructuring [political] organizations now lies with our generation," he states in his resignation letter.

Thus, acknowledging the evolving situations, at this significant time, I believe it is necessary to take part in a new political campaign to genuinely link Nepali political activities with the nation's interests and the lives of the people. Therefore, starting today, I humbly submit my resignation from all roles within the Rastriya Swatantra Party and request to cease being a regular member of the party.

He characterized the recent uprising by the younger generation [Gen Z] on September 8 and 9 as a significant moment in Nepal's political history, marking a shift in conventional Nepali politics.

Pariyar stated that the youth revolt demonstrated that Nepali politics cannot remain unchanged and cannot guide the people toward a new era without implementing reforms.

He mentioned that the Gen Z movement has had a major impact on the awareness of modern Nepali society, and called on political parties and individuals to consider their future in a more expansive way.