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Thapa floats a separate faction of PFN

Announcing the formal split of the People's Front Nepal (PFN) – a constituent of Seven Party Alliance (SPA) – a member of parliament Pari Thapa has floated PFN National Convention Central Coordination Committee on Friday.

With this decision, the PFN – a radical leftist outfit - has now split into three separate factions. Citing ideological differences, PF's vice president Pari Thapa had called a special conference on Wednesday in the capital. The PFN now has split into three camps – the one led by deputy prime minister Amik Sherchan; the one led by Chitra Bahadur KC; and now the third one led by Pari Thapa. KC faction had separated on the issue of PF joining the government.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Pari Thapa claimed that Sherchan had joined the government without party decision. He accused that "an anarchic" person like Sherchan would not be able to lead the party in the government. He said he would now initiate talks with seven parties on which faction of PFN should be officially become the constituent of the alliance. Of the total 46 members of executive committee of the PFN, the newly floated faction led by Thapa has drawn 9 members into its fold. KC's faction had lured 13 members already. The remaining members are still with Sherchan.

Chitra Bahadur Ale has been named as the president of the newly floated faction of which Thapa is vice president. MP Nabaraj Subedi has been named as general secretary of this faction.

Indicating growing bitterness among the leaders of PFN, on Thursday, Pari Thapa was not allowed to attend the summit meeting on behalf of the party. Thapa had attended two earlier summit meetings as PFN leader. Thapa said he was denied entry on Thursday at the behest of Sherchan.

With the latest split, Sherchan now has only one MP with him – Lilamani Pokharel. nepalnews.com sd Oct 12 06