The National Solidarity Party (NSP), which broke away from the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) last year, has plans to rejoin the grouping of opposition parties.

However, it intends to do so in another form. The idea, which is still at a preliminary stage, is to merge with Mr Chiam See Tong's Singapore People's Party (SPP), already a member of the alliance.

Veteran MP Chiam is also chairman of the alliance, an umbrella grouping of three opposition parties: SPP, Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS) and Singapore Justice Party.

Both the NSP and SPP confirmed there have been informal talks on merger. But both sides also made clear it was 'too premature' to disclose further details.

When contacted, SPP's assistant secretary-general Desmond Lim would only say: 'The idea came from the NSP, and SPP is still studying the proposal.'

NSP's president Sebastian Teo said the idea surfaced during 'informal chit-chats' with SPP members about one to two months ago. 'There is still no progress,' he told The Straits Times.

Sources close to the parties indicate that the plan is to dissolve the SPP and NSP, and change the SDA structure. It means SDA member parties will merge into one party - an idea floated before.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.