Kathmandu, Dec. 29 -- After prolonged negotiations and back and forth proposals, three popular figures of the country's alternative political space-Rabi Lamichhane, Balendra (Balen) Shah and Kulman Ghising-have signed a unity deal.

Energy Minister Ghising on Monday agreed to join Lamichhane's RSP with an understanding to hold second rank as a vice-chair in the new party.

RSP chair Lamichhane and Anup Kumar Upadhyay, chairman of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, which is backed by Ghising, signed a seven-point deal to unify the two parties. Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah was the witness during the signing event.

Though Minister Ghising had not held any office bearer position in the Ujyalo Nepal Party, Monday's agreement with Lamichhane has clearly...