We won't join Bhattarai-led govt: Baidya faction

POST B BASNET/KIRAN PUN
KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Senior leaders of the Maoist radical faction have countered the claim of the party establishment that they are joining the current coalition led by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and urged the people not to be misled by such reports.

Leaders close to Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya say Dahal was positive about recalling Bhattarai from the government during the meeting on Tuesday and that they were surprised over media reports about them joining the government.
“I was taken back when I heard that. I urge the people not to be misled by such stories,” said party standing committee Netra Bikram Chand from the Baidya faction.

Chand, who is Baidya´s strongman, said his faction has demanded a thorough review of the “anti-national” four-point deal with the Madhes-based parties that led to the formation of the current coalition, adding that there is no point in joining the Bhattarai-led government. “We are yet to discuss this issue in detail. So people should not be misled by such a fabricated story,” Chand said.

Leaders from the Bhattarai faction on Wednesday had quoted Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as telling them during a meeting that plans were afoot to bring the Baidya faction aboard the current coalition. “It would be a great injustice to us if you even think that I could have agreed to change the government,” a leader had quoted Dahal as telling them.

But the party radicals vehemently opposed the claim. “What you have heard is part of conspiracy to tarnish our image as power mongers and mislead the masses and the party cadres. It is against our understanding with the chairman and if he had really made such a statement, it is unfortunate,” said Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma from the Baidya faction.

Party Secretary CP Gajurel also said that the faction won´t join the government formed on the basis of four-point deal.

During the meeting on Monday, Baidya and Dahal had agreed to withhold the document of peace and constitution floated by Dahal and that of immediate revolt proposed by Baidya, endorse common political programs as per the ´revolutionary spirit´ of the Palungtar plenum, and run “discussion forums” on the ideological differences to be resolved at a general convention.

They had also reached an understanding to mobilize the masses for a “pro-people” constitution and “dignified” integration of the PLA personnel, and foment an urban insurrection if the party fails in its endeavor.

Meanwhile, the party could not hold its scheduled Central Committee (CC) meeting saying Dahal is yet to write down the common political proposal. “Perhaps we will finalize the proposal Thursday evening or Friday morning,” said Bishwakarma.
from http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=40679