Maoist rift sparks alarm among UML‚ NC leaders

RSS

KATHMANDU: Leaders of the main opposition party Nepali Congress and the ruling party CPN (UML) have expressed concern over the intra-party conflict growing in the UCPN (Maoist).

Taking part in a face-to-face programme organised by the Media Vision Nepal in the Capital on Thursday, the participants said the intra-party rift in the UCPN (Maoist) may disturb the ongoing peace process and the constitution-drafting process.

"The growing rift within the UCPN (Maoist), one of the major parties, has worried us", said NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC and added that unity among the parties was the need of the hour.

KC, however, claimed that disputes within the NC would be settled in a democratic way soon. Completion of the constitution drafting process was not possible until and unless the Maoist leadership managed the arms inside the containers, he said.

The NC would not join the present government since it was formed by violating the democratic spirit.

Also speaking at the programme, CPN (UML) leader Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said the intra-party conflict in the UCPN (Maoist) may affect the national consensus and has other parties as well.

CPN (ML) general secretary CP Mainali said dispute over the post emerged within the CPN (Maoist) has caused a delay in concluding the peace process and the constitution drafting process. These agendas could not get momentum as the big three parties had not been serious towards the enforcement of the five-point agreement, he said.

Chairman of the newly-formed Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party Anil Kumar Jha suggested to the UCPN (Maoist) to resolve the intra-party conflict as early as possible and to accelerate the peace process and the constitution making process.

He accused the main three parties of not giving priority to the peace and constitution, the main current agendas of the country.