Kathmandu, September 3 Coordinator of Naya Shakti Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai today said he had not abandoned Marxist ideology even after quitting from the Maoist party and setting up a new political force. Speaking at the function held to unveil his biography titled ‘Abiram Baburam’ in Kathmandu, the former prime minister said he still believed in changing society through progressive socialism, which he dubbed as an updated version of Marxism. Earlier, speaking at the event, CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said the book failed short of revealing why Bhattarai— who dedicated 40 years of his life in transforming society through Marxism— changed tack to set up a new force. Gyawali also recalled Bhattarai’s role in bringing the Maoist rebels into mainstream politics. Politician Durga Subedi, who was also involved in hijacking a plane for political cause during the Panchayat period, asked why the former prime minister escaped from  implementing the constitution right after it was promulgated in September last year. Journalist Anil Thapa penned the book, covering the politician’s personal and public lives. Bhattarai also noted that the book idolised him by highlighting positive aspects of his education and political career, but failed short of dwelling on his weaknesses as a human being. During the occasion, he also criticised the CPN-Maoist Centre’s haste in joining the government without resolving constitutional disputes. “If I were Prachanda (CPN–Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal), I wouldn’t have joined the government, rather I would have mounted pressure on the parties to resolve disputes relating to the constitution, federal boundaries and bring all stakeholders on board to implement the new constitution,” he added.