Kathmandu, January 4:

Dissident members of the CPN-ML, led by a party member Raj Bantawa, today organised the party’s third national convention bringing the party on the verge of split.

Bantawa, the coordinator of the central management committee of the convention, claimed that 15 of the 28 CPN-ML central leaders have endorsed the meeting.

Speaking at the convention, Bantawa said, “Our general secretary CP Mainali could not call the convention, so party members had to organise the meeting by themselves.” This convention, called by the members of the party rather than the leaders, has defied the general trend and is the first of its kind, organisers claimed.

Rishi Kattel, politburo member of CPN-ML said the dictatorial nature of CP Mainali has brought the party on the verge of split.

“The leader who doesn’t listen to the voice of his supporters will be removed,” Kattel said, adding that Mainali has been working against the party’s mandate of republic Nepal and has been advocating ceremonial monarchy. Mainali never supported the Jana Andolan II and had always stood against the constituent assembly, he said.

Speaking to this daily, Bhupendra Nembang, secretary of CPN-ML Lalitpur district said, “Mainali’s hunger for getting the ministerial post in the interim government is deviating him from the party policy.”He said, “Mainali refuses to talk to the party cadres and had refused to attend the convention.” CP Mainali has also announced that he would hold the party general convention in April.