Kathmandu, April 29, 2008

The central Committee meeting of CPN-Maoist has decided that the party would claim leadership of the next government, as it has emerged as the single largest party in the Constituent Assembly.

“We should get a chance to lead the next government but we will work in tandem with other major parties,” Maoist leader CP Gajurel told this daily about the party’s decision. He said his party was in favour of intensifying dialogue with other major parties to forge a consensus.

The party formed a six-member committee under the coordination of Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ to finalise the names for 100 PR seats the party has won under PR system.

The party also decided to initiate dialogue for unification with CPN-Unity Centre. Another Maoist leader, Dinanath Sharma, said their next step would be to persuade the NC to hand over the leadership to them as they have the people’s mandate. “If they go against the people’s verdict, they will face the fate of the king,” he said. Meanwhile, central committee of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum met today to review its election performance.

According to MJF central committee member Shyamanand Shuman, his party would finalise the names for PR seats tomorrow.

Asked about the party’s future strategy, he said, “We will pressure the NC-led government to step-down, as it has lost the mandate to lead.” He said the Maoists had the people’s mandate to lead the next government.

YCL cadres thrash UML men in Bhojpur

Sankhuwasabha, April 29, 2008

Four CPN-UML cadres, including the party’s district committee member, were injured when Young Communist League cadres attacked them in Kulung VDC of Bhojpur this morning.

UML district committee member and organisation department chief Ram Singh Rai, former district committee member Khagendra Rai and active cadres Ded Raj Basnet and Kul Bahadur Ghale were injured in the attack, Bhojpur unit of the CPN-UML said.

Ram Singh and Khagendra’s condition is reportedly critical and they were airlifted on an Army helicopter to Dharan for treatment. Basnet and Ghale have been out of contact since the incident.

The YCL cadres thrashed the UML men after a row between the two sides when the UML side demanded release of a local UML cadre, Kedar Karki, who was abducted by YCL cadres. Karki was abducted for staying as UML’s representative at a polling booth during the CA polls. Karki has not been released yet, the UML said.

According to local eyewitness, a group of 15-20 YCL cadres attacked the UML cadres. Issuing a press release, the UML condemned the incident, demanded the Maoists to release Karki, Basnet and Ghale; and asked the authorities to take strict action against the assailants.

YCL district secretary Shishir admitted that YCL cadres had attacked the UML men.