KATHMANDU: The CPN-Revolutionary Maoist on Saturday formally split as a faction advocating for unity with the UCPN-Maoist held a separate meeting and elected Ram Bahadur Thapa its Chairman.

Party spokesperson Pampha Bhusal told THT Online over phone that majority members of the party's Central Committee, who were present at the meeting today, decided to elect Thapa its Chairman while removing Mohan Baidya from the position.

Whereas Baidya had postponed the meeting called for today, the Thapa-led faction had organised a separate meeting to take a concrete decision on its unity with the mother party, UCPN-Maoist led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Bhusal also hinted that the Thapa-led CPN-Revolutionary Maoist would not attend any meeting called by Baidya now. Asked if they would attend any meeting with Baidya, Bhusal replied, "Perhaps, you should ask this question to himself (Baidya)."

The meeting, meanwhile, endorsed 13 bases for the unification and formed a panel to finalise the unification process, according to Bhusal.

It has been learned that around 130 members of the 199-strong central committee of the Baidya-led party were present at the meeting today.

Baidya's lamentation

Meanwhile, Baidya issued a six-page appeal this evening and accepted that the party formally split today.

He accused the Thapa faction of being opportunist and neo-reformist.

Baidya claimed that the unification process was a bid to destroy the revolutionary ideology of Nepal's Communist movement.

In the appeal signed by Baidya in the capacity of the CPN-Revolutionary Maoist Chairman notwithstanding Thapa's decision, the veteran leader has explained ups and downs of differences with Thapa for last few months.

Baidya also added that he would call the Central Committee meeting very soon and decide the party's immediate and long-term responsibilities.

UCPN-Maoist also endorses bases for unification

On the other hand, the UCPN-Maoist led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal also held a Central Committee meeting today and endorsed the 13 bases for the unification.

Party spokesperson Dinanath Sharma told journalists after the meeting that Chairman Dahal was assigned to take the unification process ahead.

A CC member of the Dahal-led party said it would hold a joint meeting with Thapa-led party and two other fringe parties led by Matrika Yadav and Mani Thapa to conclude the unity process.

Unity to be announced on May 19

Following the party-wise decisions, the five parties including - UCPN-Maoist, CPN-Revolutionary Maoist and the Revolutionary Communist Party led by Mani Thapa held a joint meeting this evening.

The meeting decided to hold a joint convention on May 19 and announce the unified party on the same day, according to UCPN-Maoist Secretary Barshaman Pun.

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• Maoists to announce unified party on May 19

Chand's nay

Spokesperson of the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist, Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma, issued a statement today and clarified that it was not involved in the unification process.

Bishwakarma said the purported unity could not accomplish the mission of scientific socialism as it would be just an alliance of pro-parliamentarian forces.

A group led by Basanta Gharti from Chand's party, however, is unifying with the UCPN-Maoist.