The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) and Sanghiya Samabesi Madhesi Gathabandhan (SSMG)—two rival fronts leading separate protests in the Tarai for over the past five months have united on Friday to forge a ‘grand alliance’.

Both these political alliance used to be a single group some eight months ago. They split into two factions leading various agendas in Madhes.

The merger was officially announced amidst a press conference in Bijulibazar in the Capital on Friday evening.

“All we agitating forces have decided to unite and take our ongoing struggle to a conclusion by a common name Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha,” read a statement issued after the press conference.

The newly formed SLMM comprises of seven Madhes-based political parties. They are four parties from old SLMM—Sadbhawana Party, Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party—and three from SSMG—Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party, Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Ganatantrik (MJF-G).