Kathmandu, August 15

Differences among office bearers of the CPN-UML-aligned student union All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) has surfaced once again.

Recently, the ANNFSU general secretary called for a national assembly on August 20 without the consent of the chairperson.

Six months ago, during the 22nd national general convention of ANNFSU, there was tough rivalry between student factions close to UML Chairperson KP Oli and the party’s senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal. The student panel close to Oli had won majority posts during the convention.

However, gradually difference between the Oli-led panel ANNFSU Chairperson Nabina Lama and General Secretary Ain Mahar led to a separate assembly being called by the latter.

Mahar supporters were dissatisfied with Lama after she failed to define the responsibilities in various departments even six months after the  general convention and only Lama supporters were allegedly given responsibilities.

Mahar asserts that is the reason why he called for a national assembly of central committee members on August 20 without consent from the chairperson.

Mahar claimed he had informed Lama about the assembly over telephone.

He said, “The tenure of the new central committee is two years; some of the elected members have not got any responsibility even six months after  the convention. The chairperson has given responsibilities to some members without discussing in a meeting.”

He claimed that more than 75 per cent of the members will be present in the national assembly.

At present, Vice-chairpersons Sunita Baral and Mahesh Bartaula and secretaries Amrit Buda, Samik Baral and RC Lamichhane have supported Mahar.

Lama said that she did not know about the national assembly called by the general secretary.

She said, “I am in Pyuthan for organisational duties. The general secretary is unauthorised to make decisions in my absence. Any assembly called will be illegitimate.”

Lama claimed the decision she took as chairperson was as per the statute.

“If I have made mistakes while working, it should be evaluated and corrected,” she added.

UML leader Nepal faction cadres — three secretaries and some members in the central committee have supported Lama stating that the assembly called by Mahar was not legitimate.