CPN-ML in tatters as rival factions sack each other

Kathmandu, November 13:

Rival factions of the Communist Party of Nepal, Marxist-Leninist today claimed to have sacked each other.

One-third of the 32 central committee members of the CPN-ML went public this afternoon saying that they had expelled party general secretary CP Mainali, who is also a member of the Constituent Assembly. “We will write to the CA Chairman Subas Nemwang and urge him to cancel Mainali’s membership,” according to a statement signed by 12 central members, including two alternative members.

But in the absence of any law dealing with defection, it will be difficult for the CA Chairman to take action.

The 12 members are: Diwakar Sharma, Ram Acharya, Keshav Nepal, Navaraj Sharma, Dinesh Panthi, Padam Bhandari, Hom Kumari Khapung, Bashanta Nepal, Indra Kumar Jha, Bachhu Rai, Tek Bahadur Sashankar, Mangal Chaudhari, Man Bahadur Shahi, Lali Rawal and Pahangbir Kerung.

The rebels have formed what they call “a central coordination committee”. Diwakar Sharma and Keshav Nepal informed about the formation of the committee at a press conference. The rebels said they had initiated a campaign to make a single communist party. They said they would get the support of four CA members — Yadu Bamsa Jha, Janak Chalise, Mangal Chaudhari and Sarada Nepali.

Mainali himself had a different version to narrate.

“Only eight central members have defected the party,” he told The Himalayan Times over phone. “Holding a meeting today, the party sacked them formally,” said he.

“The excluded group comprises Acharya, Diwakar, Navaraj, Nepal, Panthi, Khapung, Rai and Bhandari,” general secretary Mainali claimed.

“The splinter group has spread rumour that the four CA members are supporting them. But this is totally false, they are all with us.” CPN-ML has nine members in the 601-member Assembly. Together, the communist parties control 62 per cent seats.