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Close session starts in NSP special convention

On the second day of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi)'s special convention, the closed session discussions have started in Birgunj from Friday morning.

The party leaders are expected to submit organisational reports at the session to forge future strategies for the party.

Earlier, on Thursday, the convention kicked off amidst intense dispute between rival faction. Rajendra Mahato-led faction had organised the party's general convention despite its suspension announcement by party chief Anandidevi Singh.

Security has been beefed up in and around the convention venue amidst fears of violent clashes between the rival factions.

Altogether 38 of the 49 member National Working Committee of the party were present in the inauguration ceremony of the convention, the organisers said.

Claiming that except chairperson of the 13 member Central Work Performance Committee (CWPC) of the National Working Committee and general secretary Shyam Sundar Gupta all other party members had participated in the convention, party secretary Anil Kumar Jha said chairperson of 11 of the 12 sister units of the party had also participated in the inaugural ceremony.

Addressing the inaugural programme party vice chairman and Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahato claimed that Madhesi parties would soon go on to build a joint front keeping in view the constituent assembly election to form a separate Madhes government. He said the party is also in talks with armed terai groups like Jai Krishna Goit and Jwala Singh led factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) for the aforementioned front.

"We call upon the armed groups for dialogue," Minister Mahato said, "If they don't want to come to talks then we request them to call a unilateral cease-fire until the constituent assembly election are held."

Mahato said that only if the armed groups call a ceasefire they would be able to empower the Madhesi people in a peaceful manner.

Mahato was also of the opinion that since they had agreed to hold the special general convention of the party within three months when they agreed for party unity "holding the special general convention was necessary."

"The special general convention is being held not to divide the party further as it is being wrongly said, but to consolidate this unity," he said. Mahato said they are in favour of mountain, hill and terai provinces

NSP's senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna said that the new constitution would be drafted in favour of the Madhesi people only if the Madhesi candidates are victorious in Madhes. nepalnews.com ag Sep 14 07