Dahal, Baidya agree to continue fence-mending talks

Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (File photo)

Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal met vice-chairman Mohan Baidya Tuesday as part of an attempt to prevent a vertical split in the Maoist party that is looming large.

While there was no concrete understanding, both Dahal and Baidya "agreed to continue talks aiming to keep the party unity intact", a Maoist source said. Dahal went to Baidya's Gongabu residence for the meeting.

Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya (File photo)

Dahal-Baidya meeting comes a day after Baidya faction formed a four-member team to talk to the party establishment. Sources said the Baidya faction decided to hold talks with Dahal after he publicly stated that he was ready to quit as party chairman if that ensured party unity.

Apart from his resignation, Baidya faction also wants Dahal to admit failure of his agenda of peace and constitution and accept 'people's revolt' as the future course to be taken by the party.

Baidya faction leaders have announced that they would float a new party if Dahal failed to meet these preconditions. nepalnews.com