In yet another setback to Baburam Bhattarai-led Naya Shakti Party-Nepal (NSP-N), 206 central council members under the leadership of Provincial Council member Balram Pun have joined forces with the Devendra Poudel faction.

Poudel, along with 15 NSP-N leaders including Kumar Poudel, Mukti Pradhan, and Pasang Sherpa, had formed the Brihat Dhrubikaran Samayojan Samiti last week following differences with NSP-N coordinator Bhattarai over ideological issues. The NSP-N had ousted all the 15 dissident members from the party on August 19.

Earlier, Naya Shakti leaders, including Ram Chandra Jha, Ram Kumar Sharma, Mumaram Khanal and Rameshwor Khanal, had parted ways with Bhattarai.

The dissidents led by leader Poudel are set to join the CPN (Maoist Centre) on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed hope that all the leaders who deserted the Maoist party would rejoin the party.

“Our aim is to unite all the splintered factions of Maoists and progressive forces,” said Dahal during a programme to welcome Ram Chandra Jha and Ram Kumar Sharma, among other leaders on Sunday.

“Baburam Bhattarai will come back to Maoist sooner or later. So will Mohan Baidya and Biplav,” he said. “All of them will be wiped if they do not return.”

While urging the party leaders and cadres to keep patient, Dahal said after having a bitter experience of split and he was having a good experience a party reunification. He asked the new entrants to fight against the existing disorder in the party and assured to do justice to all the leaders who joined the party.

He also claimed only a Maoist Centre victory in the local level elections in Province 2 would ensure the rights of Madhesi people in the region. Recalling his efforts to unite the nation by addressing the spirit and needs of Madhesi people, Dahal expressed hope that the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal would join the elections soon.