PM Bhattarai attends UML high tea despite 'half-hearted' invitation

PM Baburam Bhattarai

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai attended the tea party organised by the UML Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, there were speculations that he might skip UML reception given the UML's decision to boycott him in formal programmes.

UML sources said Bhattarai was invited as the vice chairman of the UCPN (Maoist), not as the Prime Minister.

Earlier, talking to Nepalnews, PM's aide Bishwodeep Pandey said, "The Prime Minister has decided to attend UML's tea reception as he knows that no one is a permanent friend or foe in politics." He said the PM was going to attend the programme in his capacity as senior senior leader of the Maoist party.

UML's tea reception followed a similar event organised by the Nepali Congress to exchange greetings on the occasion of the major festivals - Dashain, Tihar and Chhath. PM Bhattarai did not attend NC's reception on Monday as he was out of town. Nepalenws.com