KATHMANDU: The Unified CPN-Maoist failed to expand its central committee today after the same rejected a proposal presented in the regard by chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', demanding changes.

According to senior party leaders, the leadership had tried to convert the Kharipati's national training into a national gathering so as to expand the central committee but it could not materialise since the state committees proposed to take the number of contenders to around 1,000.

The meeting will continue tomorrow dealing with the agenda including the expansion of the CC, politburo, standing committee and the advisors, formation of a commission to probe into the clash among the workers affiliated to All Nepal Trade Union Federation and a task force to resolve the issue of ranks among party leaders.

The meeting passed unanimously only the agenda of paying tribute to martyrs and stalled the agenda of the CC expansion.

Proposals have also been presented to expand the existing 44-member politburo to 58, which is one third of the proposed CC strength of 175. According to leaders, central committee members including Sashi Shrestha, Jayapuri Gharti, Yasodha Subedi, Ram Kumar Yadav, Mahendra Paswan and Krishna Dev Singh have been proposed for promotion to the politburo and Haribol Gajurel to the standing committee.

Some leaders claimed that a discussion had begun on the criteria to choose the CC members out of hundreds.

Many of them have proposed that the dedication, continuity and capability should be the criteria to be met by CC members besides seniority and recognition as being in the disadvantaged class, region and gender.

The Dalit front affiliated with the party has proposed around a dozen names including Nabin Bishwokarma and its president Tilak Pariyar, currently an advisor to the party.

The party is also preparing to expand the number of advisors. With the death of Bodhraj Kafle on February 14, there are only 76 advisors.

Some members are for expanding the CC only after unification with some other outfits including the CPN-Unified led by Nawaraj Subedi.