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Maoist CC meet makes no headway in resolving internal dispute

The third day of the Maoist central committee meeting of the main ruling party, CPN (UML), failed to arrive at an understanding between the two 'ideological factions' with both sides sticking to their positions.

Party sources said there was intense debate during the meeting held in Bhaktapur over the proposals of party chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior ideologue Mohan Baidya, but no understanding could be reached.

The Maoist top brass has been trying to convince the radicals led by Baidya on a softer ideological line that regards the existing political order as 'transitional republic' and seeks to achieve 'people's republic', which leaders have been describing as the ultimate goal of the party, by strengthening what has been achieved so far.

On the other hand, Baiya remains steadfast on his proposal that renounces parliamentary democracy and stresses the need for another uprising to establish people's republic.

The central committee is clearly divided between the two ideological streams, but party chairman Dahal weighs heavy with a slim majority backing him.

Those supporting the party chairman include senior leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai, People's Liberation Army commander Nanda Kishor Pun, deputy commander Chandra Khanal, central secretariat members Barshaman Pun, Hisila Yami and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi while Ram Bahadur Thapa, Dev Gurung C.P Gajurel, Netra Bikram Chand, Hari Bhakta Kandel and Matrika Yadav are backing Baidya.

In their attempt to sort out internal dispute leaders will again meet Thursday morning, before the national cadres conference, which was postponed earlier in the wake of ideological rift within the party leadership, kicks off (on the same day). nepalnews.com mk Nov 19 08