KATHMANDU: Standing Committee members of the UCPN-Maoist criticised party leader and Minister for Home Affairs Shakti Bahadur Basnet for including names of kin of some party leaders including Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the quake victims' list to visit China.

Basnet's decision tarnished the party image, the leaders said speaking at the Standing Committee meeting today.

Earlier, it was revealed that Basnet sent relatives of his party leaders including grandchildren of Chair Dahal and daughters of the Minister himself as quake victims for a study visit to the northern neighbour.

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China had invited a 100-member team of youths in the age group of 15-30 years for an observation visit to earthquake affected regions Kunming and Chhendung of Sichuan Province.

According to Home Ministry, as many as 83 youths all of them were relatives of UCPN-M leaders and civil servants left for China on Friday.