KATHMANDU: At a time when the UCPN-Maoist leaders are claiming that activists of different political parties are joining the party, a group of district-level leaders of the party on Wednesday joined Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist.

Yadav, an outspoken rebel leader, had refused to associate with the UCPN-Maoist, a new entity formed following the merger of the CPN-Maoist and the CPN-Unity Centre, and chose to restructure the CPN-Maoist.

Organising a press

meet here today, the CPN-Maoist today claimed that 22 district-level leaders of the UCPN-Maoist had deserted the party to join the CPN-Maoist.

Those joining CPN-Maoist today include Bhaktapur district committee members (DCM) of the UCPN-M Anil Lama (Dharti), Birat Gautam, Udesh Pandit, Shyam Pahari (Prakash) and Kumar Timilsina (Aakash). Similarly, district committee members of Young Communist League (YCL) Saroj Rokka and Samir Chhetri and area committee members Jivan Lama, Prashanta Thapa, Jwala Magar and Raju Lama among others also entered the CPN-Maoist.

Speaking at the press meet, Bhaktapur district committee member of the UCPN-M Anil Lama (Dharti), alleged that the party had plunged into financial irregularities and the leaders were adopting luxurious lifestyle. “They are promoting wrong culture in the party. The leadership is not taking the issue seriously despite repeated suggestions,” he added.

“We decided to join the CPN-Maoist to safeguard the achievements of the People’s War,” he claimed.

Valley Bureau In-charge of CPN-Maoist Jogman Tamang said around 50 PLA combatants would march past at the central office of the party tomorrow. “More PLA combatants, including the commanders, are preparing to join the CPN-Maoist soon,” he said.

Issuing a press statement, Bhaktapur District Committee of UCPN-Moist has said the Lama and Pandit were suspended by the party and feigned ignorance about other leaders.