Kathmandu, Nov. 23 -- A new political force, the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, was announced on Sunday by merging various groups led by former Maoist Centre deputy general secretary Janardan Sharma, Durga Sob of the Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti) and former Rastriya Swatantra Party chief whip Santosh Pariyar.

The party aims to bring together progressive, patriotic and socialist groups under a non-communist banner.

As per the announcement made on Sunday, former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, who earlier headed the Naya Shakti, will serve as the party's patron. The draft statute envisions a collective leadership that is inclusive of youth and women.

The party, which is registered with the Election Commission under Durga Sob's na...