KATHMANDU, Nov 24: A familiar lineup of former Maoist leaders has resurfaced—this time under the banner of the newly announced Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
The party brings together figures ranging from Baburam Bhattarai, who once attempted and failed to establish an alternative force after leaving the Maoists, to Janardan Sharma, who also abandoned the Maoist fold. Ironically, the party formed under their leadership has drifted even further away from the communist ideology, principles, and policies they once championed.
Bhattarai, who launched Naya Shakti Nepal on June 12, 2016, at the Dasharath Stadium with a political roadmap – freedom, inclusive democracy, good governance, prosperity, and advanced socialism – has now joined the PDP. Although the party’s front appears youthful, the structure ensures that the old guard continues to hold decisive influence. Along with Bhattarai and Sharma, most leaders—including Ram Karki, Sudan Kirati, Hisila Yami, Satyanarayan Bhagat, Durga Sov, and Tekendra Bhatta—are former Maoists. Santosh Pariyar, who recently left the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has also joined.
Far from progressive
Bhattarai now serves as the party’s patron. As leaders disillusioned by a decade-long armed struggle began drifting away, Sharma took the initiative to bring Bhattarai into the fold of a new political project. Sharma had grown dissatisfied during the unification with the UML in 2018 and subsequent mergers with smaller communist factions, arguing that the Maoist Centre lost its revolutionary edge after abandoning both its name and Maoist ideology. This frustration pushed him to approach Bhattarai—sidestepping Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Following the recent unification agreement among ten leftist factions—including the Maoist Centre, Unified Socialist, Nepal Samajbadi Party, and CPN (Socialist)—Sharma broke away with several colleagues. Ironically, he himself has now stepped into a non-Maoist ideological space.
Addressing Sunday’s party announcement, Sharma took a jab at Dahal, saying they had stopped “offering incense to the temple priests” in their former party and were now focused on building the PDP.
“After dismantling the throne of feudalism and contributing to the creation of Nepal’s democratic republic, we have stopped paying homage to the temple priests within the party and are now engaged in declaring the Progressive Democratic Party,” he said.
The PDP emerged from the unification of Sharma’s Progressive National Campaign, Bhattarai’s Nepal Samajbadi Party (Naya Shakti), and Santosh Pariyar, who left the RSP on November 14, saying the party failed to reflect Nepal’s social character. The new party has already been registered with the Election Commission within the set deadline.
The PDP’s commitment paper, unveiled on Sunday, carries the slogan “Nepali Mato, Hamro Bato” (“Nepali Soil, Our Path”). The statement includes a public self-reflection, pledging to acknowledge past mistakes and avoid repeating them.
The party has pledged political, economic, and systemic restructuring. It aims to launch a revival movement, pursue a major anti-corruption campaign, and promote the development and use of technology. According to the party, its character is rooted in inclusive and participatory democracy, grounded in indigenous Nepali socialism, and guided by the latest theories of social development.
The newly formed party has announced a five-member Chairperson Council, while leaders like Bhattarai and Sharma will serve in advisory roles. The council includes Sudan Kirati, Santosh Pariyar, Durga Sov, Ashok Jaishwal, and Ojaswi Bhattarai, with representation from Gen-Z, as well as various regions, communities, and social groups.
