| | KATHMANDU, July 23: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed division of leadership responsibilities among top leaders of the party in his latest attempt to settle a deepening intra-party crisis. But he insisted that he should remain leader of the parliamentary party for now.
At a meeting of party office bearers held at his residence at Naya Bazar Friday evening, Dahal proposed that the party, military and political fronts be led by different leaders.
“The essence of his proposal is he would continue to lead the party, General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa would lead the military, and Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai would be given leadership of parliamentary party board,” said a top Maoist leader.
Dahal also promised to activate the near-defunct role of party Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya as chief of the party´s organization and disciplinary committee.
As per the proposal, another vice-chairman, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, would lead the party in the cabinet. Likewise, Vice-chairman Dr Bhattarai would be prime ministerial candidate from the party if the party gets such an opportunity.
Dahal´s proposal is in line with the demand of the alliance of three vice-chairmen and General Secretary Thapa.
Chairman Dahal, however, was adamant on not relinquishing the post of PP leader right away as demanded by rival factions. He said they could discuss when he should step down as PP leader.
Party insiders say the demand of rival factions to change the PP leader has been the most contentious issue in the Maoist party lately. Dahal has asked rival faction leaders to forge an understanding for now and resolve the issue in due course.
“We have almost reached agreement on power sharing, except for a few contentious issues,” said Maoist Secretary Post Bahadur Bogati, who is close to Dahal.
Maoist Standing Committee member Netra Bikram Chand, a close confidante of Baidya, termed the proposal ´positive´. "We will hold further discussions Saturday on the change of PP leader. The proposal by Chairman Dahal is positive," he said.
Devendra Paudel, a senior leader close to Dr Bhattarai, said they will hold detailed discussions Saturday on Dahal´s proposal. “We have agreed in principle to settle all contentious issues in the party,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Chairman Dahal held separate meetings at his residence with Vice-chairmen Baidya, Dr Bhattarai and Shrestha. The three vice-chairmen, General Secretary Thapa and youth leaders then held a joint meeting at the residence of Vice-chairman Baidya at Gongabu.
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