Two significant Madhesi parties in Nepal, the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) led by Mahantha Thakur and the Lokatantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) led by Upendra Yadav, have announced their merger. This unification, effective ahead of the general elections scheduled for March 5, aims to consolidate the federal democratic republic system. The joint statement cited the need to build a just society by strengthening federalism, identity, inclusiveness, and social justice.