Pro-socialist parties to announce Samajbadi Morcha today

Kathmandu: Leaders of pro-socialist parties are announcing Samajbadi Morcha (Socialist Front) today with the objective of protecting federal democratic republic and carving the path of socialism with Nepali characteristics.

Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) will join the Front. Establishing socialism with Nepali characteristics is the common principle of the front, leaders said.

Unified Socialist Party Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal said it was natural to unite for certain ideas and principles. ‘Unity is a good thing,’ he said in a brief response to media persons at the Parliament House premises on Sunday. ‘The Front believes that all the forces opting for socialism with good intentions should be brought together’, he added.

JSP senior leader Rajendra Shrestha shared that a 15-point ideological and political resolution has been prepared to achieve the objective of socialism. The draft resolution mentions that the main objective of the Front will be to establish socialism with Nepali characteristics, including federalism, democracy, good governance, prosperity and socio-economic justice.

He said the establishment of socialism with Nepali characteristics was a common policy resolution of the Front, with commitment to republic, secularism, federalism, proportional inclusion principles and constitution.

According to Shrestha, the leaders of the joining parties also agreed to lead the Front on a rotational basis. Following the announcement of the Front on Monday, the structure will be formed at the grassroots level as pert the need. The Front has formed a central coordination committee. The committee will have a secretariat, the leader said.

The leaders have also agreed to a common perspective on the issue of economic, social, cultural transformation and prosperity to pave the path of socialism by protecting the achievements made so far. They have pledged to end age-old class, ethnic, linguistic, regional, gender and caste-based exploitation, oppression, inequality and discrimination.

The draft also states that special priority will be given to the development and opportunities of the backward regions like Madhes, Karnali and Seti-Mahakali and people who are lagging behind in Human Development Index.

Likewise, it has been pledged to carry forward the work of ensuring identity, inclusion and social justice to the marginalized communities like Madhesis, indigenous Peoples, Janajatis, Khas, Dalits, Muslims, Tharus, backward classes, minority communities and poor People who have been facing political, economic, social and cultural exclusion.

The Socialist Front will take initiative to dismiss the cases filed against those who participated in various movements. Adopting a socialist system- free from the exploitation and interference of financial monopoly and crony capitalism and on the basis of the coordinated, cooperative and dynamic role of the public, cooperative and private sectors- is another commitment of the Front.

Shrestha added that leaders have agreed to industrialize the country by creating domestic and foreign investment-friendly environment as well as encouraging Nepalis returning from foreign employment with capital and technology to do employment-oriented business within the country.