KATHMANDU, June 29: "Let me say this without delay: Leftist and patriotic forces must unite as soon as possible in defense of national sovereignty, against authoritarianism, and against foreign pressure and interference. Delaying this would be a mistake."

These were part of the remarks made by former Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal during an event marking the 75th birth anniversary of late UML General Secretary Madan Bhandari.

The program, organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation on Sunday, focused on Nepal's communist movement and Bhandari's political legacy. Seated on either side of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Dahal and three other senior leaders from two left parties called for communist unity.

Nepal's communist parties have repeatedly united and split over the years, often driven by personal political interests. Although they forged an electoral alliance before the 2017 general election, internal rivalries prevented the completion of party unification, eventually splitting the alliance into three factions.

Now, after finding themselves pushed to the margins of power, the leaders have once again begun speaking of cooperation. UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, NCP leaders Dahal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal appeared together on the same stage, advocating unity despite having been bitter rivals until recently.

The event also carried symbolic significance for Bidya Bhandari, who served as Nepal's head of state for more than seven years and is now seeking an active political role in the UML. Leaders facing growing pressure to step aside highlighted the need for left unity during a program where she served as the chief guest.

With support within their own parties weakening, Oli, Dahal and other senior leaders have increasingly found themselves under pressure. Leaders from both parties have long floated the idea of placing Bhandari at the helm of a reunified communist party while assigning Oli, Dahal, Nepal and Khanal the role of senior guardians.

One senior leader said discussions are still centered on that proposal. "This is the only path that ensures both generational change and a dignified exit for everyone," the leader said.

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A leader close to Bhandari described Sunday's event as the beginning of that process. "All the leaders appeared ready to accept her not only as the chief guest but also as the new leader," the leader said.

Recalling that Oli had refused even to renew Bhandari's UML membership until a few months ago, the leader added that her membership renewal and participation in the event signaled a major shift.

Oli calls for democratic alliance

Addressing the gathering before Bhandari, Oli said not only leftist parties but all democratic forces should work together.

Warning that regressive forces were gaining strength, he said, "Defeating regression is the main task. All democratic and leftist forces should move forward through issue-based cooperation."

Rejecting criticism directed at the communist movement, Oli insisted that the UML was not seeking unity by revisiting or compromising its ideological line.

"Our policies are absolutely correct," he said.

Dahal urges immediate cooperation

Dahal said left parties should not delay working together."I am not saying we should merge parties tomorrow. But if we can cooperate today, let's do it today. If we can do it this evening, then this evening. If tomorrow, then tomorrow," he said.

Accusing the government of undermining fundamental constitutional principles, Dahal warned that efforts were underway to weaken Nepal's communist movement.

"The common objective is to destroy the communist movement. Delaying unity among those with similar beliefs could become a major tragedy," he said.

Madhav Nepal calls for self-reflection

Madhav Nepal argued that communist parties must undertake serious self-reflection. "Only after doing that can we unite the communist movement," he said.

He stressed that all communist parties should examine how a movement that once reached significant political heights had fallen into its current state. "We need to ask whether ideology, principles, excessive individualism, or the tendency to believe 'I alone matter' caused this situation," he said.

Khanal presses for long term unity

Jhala Nath Khanal also stressed that left unity was essential. Although Khanal has recently proposed a 36-point plan calling on Dahal to relinquish party leadership, he nevertheless argued that communist forces must unite.

"At different points in history, we developed horns and topknots, and that prevented us from becoming one," he said, using a metaphor for growing egos and divisions. "Now time itself is forcing us into a difficult situation. That is why we are seeking unity again. "He proposed launching a long-term process for left unity starting immediately.

Bhandari: One election should not determine UML ideology's future

Former President Bidya Bhandari said it would be premature to judge either Nepal's communist movement or the future of the ideology of People's Multiparty Democracy, commonly known as Janata ko Bahanudaliya Janabad (People’s Multiparty Democracy), based on the outcome of a single election.

"It is not appropriate to draw hasty conclusions about the relevance of People's Multiparty Democracy or the future of the communist movement based on one election result," she said.

Bhandari argued that the doctrine developed by Madan Bhandari remains relevant today. Bringing together top leaders of Nepal's communist movement on one stage, she said JBJ established communism on a democratic foundation by embracing multiparty competition, human rights, freedom of expression and periodic elections as the path toward socialist transformation.

She said Madan Bhandari had developed the doctrine by taking Nepal's unique realities into account despite a difficult international environment.

Bhandari also stressed that communist parties must adapt to changing times by reforming their policies, working methods and organizational practices in response to generational change, the digital era, technological progress and the aspirations of young people.

She said the communist movement could become stronger and more popular only by developing practical policies on quality education, employment, healthcare, good governance, a production based economy and national self-reliance.

Turning to constitutional issues, Bhandari said Nepal's Constitution could be amended to meet changing needs, but warned against weakening its fundamental values and core principles.

"A directly elected executive system is not suitable for Nepal's multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural society," she said.