Talks between UML establishment and dissident leaders make no headway

Talks between the leaders of CPN-UML establishment and the party's dissident leaders from Janajati and Madhesi communities on Saturday could not arrive at any conclusion.

In the meeting held at party headquarters, Balkhu, the establishment side urged the dissidents to remain in the party and that the differences could be resolved through dialogue.

However, the dissident leaders said they would take final decision once the party furnished a written response to their 9-point demand.

Vice chairman Bam Dev Gautam led the team of leaders from the party establishment while another vice chairman Ashok Rai led the dissident Janajati and Madhesi leaders. Party chairman Jhala Nath Khadka could not attend the meeting as he was hospitalised for a surgery of his urinary tract.

Vice chairman Gautam said that the party would come up with a written response to the demand of the Janajati and Madhesi leaders very soon.

Along with Rai, politburo members Prithvi Subbad Gurung and Ram Chandra Jha and central committee members Rakam Chemjong, Bijay Rai, Rajendra Shrestha, Dal Bahadur Rana, Rizban Ansari and Ajambar Kambang and few other Janajati leaders have been boycotting party's meetings for some time, accusing the leadership of going against voices of Janajatis and Madhesis for identity-based federalism.

While Rai and most other Janajati/Madhesi leaders are said to be preparing to float a new party politburo member Gurung has said he was not in favour of quitting the party right away. nepalnews.com