Progressive Democratic Party Faces Internal Crisis Following Election Defeat

Kathmandu. Following the Falgun 21 House of Representatives election, the Progressive Democratic Party (Pradopa) is grappling with confusion and disappointment. The party was formed in the first week of Mangsir, following the special circumstances of the Gen-Z movement in Bhadau.

The party was established with former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai as patron, comprising the Nepal Socialist Party (Naya Shakti), the Janardan Sharma faction that split from the CPN (Maoist Centre), and the Santosh Pariyar faction that separated from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). However, taking moral responsibility for the unexpected election defeat, Chairperson of the Presidium Durga Sob resigned. Following Sob's resignation, co-chairpersons Sudan Kirati and Ojaswi Bhattarai also resigned. Pradopa failed to secure even 25,000 votes in the election. Out of 90 candidates fielded, none emerged victorious. Former Prime Minister Bhattarai faced criticism after withdrawing his candidacy from Gorkha-2 against the party's decision.

After three members of the Presidium resigned, co-chairperson Santosh Pariyar called a meeting of the Presidium on Chaitra 19. The meeting held serious discussions regarding the election review, the resignations submitted by the chairpersons, and the upcoming central committee meeting. Although the meeting decided to call a central committee meeting in the third week of Baishakh to decide on the resignations, Pariyar expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of necessary coordination and activity among top leaders. However, he stated that he has not resigned from his responsibilities.

'I have not resigned from my party responsibilities. We are discussing how to move the party forward after the election setback. But the discussions are not happening with the level of urgency required,' he told Ratopati. 'We have decided to call a central committee meeting in the third week of Baishakh. A decision will be made regarding the resignations submitted by our colleagues.'

It is reported that he has concluded that the party cannot continue in its current state. Sudan Kirati is in regular discussions with the Labor Culture Party, with no intention of returning to Pradopa or the Nepali Communist Party.

'He has reached the conclusion that Pradopa and the NCP cannot fulfill the needs of today's youth. The Labor Culture Party could become the current necessity and alternative. He is continuously discussing accordingly. Perhaps a conclusion will be reached in a week or two,' said a leader close to Kirati.

Meanwhile, Durga Sob stated that although she resigned from the chairperson position taking moral responsibility, she has not left the party. However, she expressed grievances that the leaders serving as party patrons did not play the role or provide the support expected in building the party.

'We had prepared to become a national party in the election. But the election results were unexpected. I resigned taking moral responsibility for that. I have not left the party,' she said.

She mentioned that Chairperson Pariyar has not resigned from his responsibilities. She informed that none of the resignations have been accepted. Sob stated that the resignations will only be effective after a decision by the central committee meeting. Now, only Pariyar and Ashok Jaiswal remain in the Presidium.