Dahal says keys handover row won’t lead to split in party

UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Tuesday said the party won’t split over the keys handover issue.

Talking to reporters after visiting office of Naya Patrika daily that was vandalised by a group of men two days ago, Dahal claimed that handover of the keys of PLA arms containers to the Special Committee is not going to harm the party unity as well as the peace process.

However, he went on to claim that the peace process will not be affected "whether or not the party splits”.

Dahal’s remarks come at a time when the leaders of hardliner faction led by vice chairman Mohan Baidya have come down heavily on party establishment for handing over keys of arm containers.

Baidya faction has demanded apology from the party chairman and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai over the keys handover issue, saying that the move is not a respectful act and that it amounts to 'surrender'.

On Sunday, the standing committee meeting decided to call the central committee meeting meeting for September 18 to settle the row.

Meanwhile, Dahal said the government must take stringent action against those behind the attack on Naya Patrika office.

He also likened the attack to that of the physical assault on the Biratnagar correspondent of Nagarik daily, Khila Nath Dhakal, by goons allegedly working for district leader of Youth Force, Parasuram Basnet.

Two students of Pashupati Multiple Campus, Chabahil, have been arrested in connection with the attack on Naya Patrika office. nepalnews.com