KATHMANDU, April 22 -- As a three-day meeting of the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) kicks off in the capital Monday, the party's proposed merger with the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) is expected to top the meeting's agenda.

The meeting, which comes in the backdrop of a formal offer for merger from the FSFN, is being watched with much anticipation as it will decide the fate of the proposed merger of the two regional parties.

RJPN and FSFN, the third and fourth largest parties in the parliament with roots in Madhesi politics, haven't yet been able to start formal negotiation due to a precondition put forth by the latter.

RJPN wants FSFN to sever ties with the ruling Nepal Communist Party in order to pave way for merger. FSFN,...