“Justification for JSP Split Over, Join the Unity Process: Purna Basnet”

Purna Basnet, Head of the Publicity Department of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, has stated that the justification for the split led by Ashok Rai no longer exists. Criticizing Ashok Rai and other leaders for weakening the socialist movement by splitting the party—originally meant to represent oppressed communities and the working class—Basnet has urged the faction to join the unity process with JSP Nepal.

Basnet said, “Ashok Rai is likely facing a major political crisis at the moment. Neither has his party gained legal recognition, nor does he have the support of the current government. He has failed to justify the party split.”

He argued that while leadership may face criticism during decision-making and policy formulation, it should never be the reason for splitting a party. Basnet further stated that Ashok Rai, who previously blamed Upendra Yadav’s leadership style for the split, should have learned from the criticism directed at his own leadership by his party officials. He emphasized that splitting the party without ideological or theoretical differences, merely weakening the movement, is wrong.

Basnet added that only by acknowledging mistakes, avoiding blame games, and uniting like-minded groups and parties can the socialist movement progress.

He also urged JSP Nepal’s leadership to create an environment encouraging parties and leaders who separated from the main party to join the unity process and to take concrete initiatives for timely transformation of the party.