Kathmandu, September 26

Unified CPN-Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai today quit his party and also resigned as member of Parliament.

At a press meet here today, Bhattarai said the justification of UCPN-M had ended with the promulgation of the new constitution. He underlined the need of a new political force as the country had entered a new era.

Bhattarai said he would spend some time on reconstruction and economic development and hinted that he would form a new party with like-minded people. “I will be open for some time and decide whether to form a new party after consultations,” he said. He added that he had left the party alone without his supporters.

“We formed the Maoist party and ended the old feudal system through capitalist revolution. Now, the old party cannot work. New way, new thought, new working modality, new organisation, new leadership and new approaches are essential. Yesterday’s old party is been fragmented and new forces are emerging. Political parties should now be transformed to address the emerging new generation,” Bhattarai said.

Bhattarai further said, “I have resigned from all responsibilities of UCPN-M and even from the general membership of the party with effect from today with the intention of beginning a new discourse with all. I have informed this to UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. I am a totally independent citizen from today and I am not a member of any party.”

He forwarded his resignation to Dahal through his aide.

Stating that he has no specific plans to what he will do next, he said, “I have kept my mind open and move ahead by holding consultations with all sides and like-minded members of all parties.” Bhattarai said he had informed Speaker Subas Nembang about his resignation from Parliament.

Asked whether he would return to UCPN-M, he said, “There are options such as constructing a new home or going to the jungle from an old house. So, there is no possibility at all of returning to the old home.”

Bhattarai claimed that the main credit of establishing the agenda of the Constituent Assembly for the new constitution went to him and said Dahal had rejected the CA’s agenda until the party made it the formal agenda six years after the “people’s war” began in 1996. Dahal even took action against him for pleading the CA’s agenda during the war, he said.

Taking a shot at Dahal and leaders of other parties regarding their remarks on shortage of supplies amid protests in the Tarai, Bhattarai said, “I am for progressive nationalism that promotes electric vehicles instead of ‘oil lamp’ and ‘cycle riding’ nationalism.”

He criticised the dual nature of leaders, who talked big about nationalism but surrendered to foreigners in private.

“The tendency to seek funds from foreign embassies for elections and horse-trading among lawmakers to secure power should come to an end,” he said.