KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Bibeksheel Sajha Party have officially merged, the parties announced today.

The declaration was made at a program held at the Rastriya Sabha Griha in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, following an agreement reached between the two parties in recent days.

Under the merger, the RSP, led by Rabi Lamichhane, and Bibeksheel Sajha, led by Samikshya Baskota, will continue under the name Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Vice Chair Swarnim Wagle confirmed that the full party name will remain unchanged as per the merger agreement.

The memorandum of understanding formalizing the merger was signed by Acting Chair Dol Prasad Acharya and Vice Chair Dr. Swarnim Wagle on behalf of RSP, and by President Samikshya Baskota and Vice President Prakash Chandra Pariyar on behalf of Bibeksheel Sajha.

The party symbol, the ‘Bell,’ will also be retained, as agreed by the leaders of both parties, Wagle added.