Kathmandu, May 21

After a large number of CPN-Revolutionary Maoist leaders defected from the party under the leadership of General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa, Chairman Mohan Baidhya today decided to join the ongoing agitation launched by the Federal Alliance.

Organising a press meet at the party headquarters in Buddhanagar today, Chairman Baidhya said the central committee meeting postponed on March 25 concluded yesterday after three days of discussions.

With the departure of majority of its leaders, CPN-RM is in crisis and struggling to retain its leaders. Baidhya said the central committee meeting of the party decided to support the genuine demands of Madhesi, Tharu and indigenous nationalities. He said the party would also organise separate programmes simultaneously.

Baidhya said the central committee decided to call a national gathering of the party on June 19 to determine the future strategy of the party following the split.

He said Thapa-led group surrendered to the Unified CPN-Maoist in the name of party unity by signing the 12-point agreement without consulting the party leadership.