The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) has termed CPN-UML’s decision to expel indigenous leader Angkaji Sherpa from the party as a “shameful act” and expressed serious objection over it.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, NEFIN’s President Raj Kumar Lekhi said the expulsion of Sherpa, who was the vice secretary of Solukhumbu district committee of the UML, just for making public remarks against the party policy and speaking in the mass meeting organised by the UCPN (Maoist) at Khula Manch in Kathmandu on Friday was “unfortunate”.

Lekhi said what the incident has proved is that those who are openly against federalism in the so-called big political parties have started a campaign to sideline those who are in favour of federalism as well as indigenous nationalities who have stood in favour of federal set up in the country.

He further clarified that Sherpa had put forth his personal views at the Maoist mass meeting in his capacity as the general secretary of NEFIN and not as a UML leader, adding further that the expulsion of Sherpa from the party just because he was one of the speakers at Khula Manch is “unfortunate” and shows the dictatorial tendency of UML party leadership.

“The incident has shown that UML wants to interfere in the activities of the NEFIN in future and we strongly condemn it. What this has only proved is that CPN-UML is also against federalism,” Lekhi said in the statement, “We think that there is no other alternative left but to form a new political power that will incorporate all Nepali people and address their grievances.”� nepalnews.com