The two parties, in an agreement signed Monday, have said that those currently in government detention for their involvement in the recent Madhes movements are innocent and cases against them will be withdrawn.

KATHMANDU, Oct 17: Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar-led Nepal Democratic Forum (NDF) has officially merged with the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) on Monday after the latter assured Gachchhadar of an office bearer's position and of making "appropriate adjustments" while fielding candidates for the upcoming polls. 

NC President and Prime Minister Deuba and other senior leaders of the party welcomed Gachchhadar in NC amidst a special function held at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar Monday morning. 

The two parties have maintained that their unity aims to stop the country from moving toward the path of totalitarianism and further strengthen the democratic foundations in the country.
 
According to an agreement paper signed by the two parties on Monday, they have reaffirmed their commitment to amending the constitution and broaden its acceptability. Also, the two parties, in the agreement, have said that those currently in government detention for their involvement in the recent Madhes movements are innocent and cases against them will be withdrawn.
 
Addressing the function organized to officially announce the unification of the two parties, Gachchhadar had turned emotional recalling the days when he decided to sever ties with the NC after having spent several years with it.
 
Gachchhadar said he decided to unite with NC unconditionally to save democracy. "I was preparing to contest the election on my own. I had 350,000 loyal voters. It was only due to technical reasons our party did not do well in the recently held local polls" he said.

Speaking on the occasion, party president Deuba said that Gachchhadar will be given important responsibility in the party. "Gachchhadar is a hard-working leader. I am confident that Gachchhadar will be successful in making Nepali Congress as the largest political party in the country," he said.

Party insiders said President Deuba has promised to nominate Gachchhadar, who defected from the party and joined Madhesi People's Rights Forum ahead of the first Constituent Assembly held in April 2008, in one of the party's office bearers' positions. 

The NDF had a total 17 seats in the erstwhile parliament. While Gachchhadar himself, Janak Raj Chaudhary, Mohammad Mushtaq Aalam and Ram Janam Chaudhary were elected under the first-past-the-post electoral system, the remaining other lawmakers were elected under the proportional electoral system.

 
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