KATHMANDU: The UCPN-Maoist held an emergency meeting of the party's Standing Committee at Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence in Kathmandu on Sunday morning.

In the meeting, Dahal briefed the Standing Committee about senior leader Baburam Bhattarai's decision to quit the party abruptly.

Concluding that his decision to leave the party at the time new Constitution has just been promulgated was not right, the SC decided to urge Bhattarai to return to the party.

Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and leader Devendra Poudel, who are believed to be loyal to Bhattarai, attended the meeting.

The meeting further concluded that the obstruction in free movement of supplies to Nepal across the border was not fair treatment by India, and urged the southern neighbour to behave in a friendly manner.

Telephone conversation  

Meanwhile, it has been learned that Dahal called up Bhattarai before the meeting today and asked leader to review his decision and return back to the party.

Responding to Dahal, Bhattarai reportedly said that there was no scope of returning as he wanted to move ahead in a new way.

But he did not rule out the possibility of collaboration with the UCPN-Maoist.

• READ ALSO: Bhattarai quits UCPN-Maoist, Parliament