Kathmandu, March 20

With the aim of taking the party on the first position in the country, the central committee of Unified CPN-Maoist that concluded here today decided to hold the party’s national convention within one year.

According to UCPN-M Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed to hold the party’s national convention within a year after conducting all the conferences of the party committees.

Central member Khagraj Bhatta said today’s meeting decided to conclude ward level conferences of all Village Development Committees and municipalities by May 23 to June 2 and district level conferences by July 15 and Pradesh conferences by September 16.

Another central member Renu Chand said the central committee has been raising the issue of local elections due to problems at the local level.

The task force led by party secretary Barshaman Pun will study issues, including the confusion regarding local elections and submit its report with suggestions within a month.

The Pun-led task force will also suggest names for filling vacant positions in the party’s central committee after Baburam Bhattarai and his followers deserted the party.

Chand said the existing district committees had been turned into conference organising committees.

The UCPN-M central committee meeting also dwelt on issues related to unification with Maoist parties, but the leaders said unity should be based on uniformity in party line.