KATHMANDU: Unaffected by the political deadlock arresting the country, UCPN Maoist leaders today spent hours watching a cultural programme in the capital.

Addressing a function organised by Far-West Flood and Landslide Victims Support Campaign, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said the government had ignored the far-western region. He said it would not be repeated in the yet-to-materialise New Nepal.

Prachanda said global climate change was responsible for the natural disaster in western Nepal. He accused the present government of not being sensitive towards the plight of the disaster-hit. Nepalis should be aware about the impending effects of climate change, he warned.

Prachanda said conspiracies were being hatched to remote-control the nation. The Maoist supremo, his wife Sita, daughter Renu, son Prakash, general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal', CA vice chair Purna Kumari Subedi, leaders Lekhraj Bhatta and Shakti Basnet were present during the function. Prachanda's granddaughter sang two songs alongside popular singer Ram Krishna Dhakal.

Few dances staged on the occasion instilled a feeling in the audience of being in a dance restaurant. Maoist cadres were exchanging comments that their leaders had taken up the bourgeoisie culture, which they hated the most earlier.

Most other presentations, however, were decent. The leaders were all praise for the show staged by Teeto Satya comedian duo Dipak Raj Giri and Dipa Shree Niraula. They satirised leaders for not acting against 'increasing border encroachment'.

Prachanda and company, beyond expectation, were glued to their seats even when most spectators had left the hall.