UCPN (Maoist) likely to call general convention in mid-Jan

KIRAN PUN
KATHMANDU, July 6: UCPN (Maoist) is likely to call its national convention after mid-January to settle the dispute over power sharing in the party.
The factional dispute over power-sharing had led to senior leader Baburam Bhattarai´s resignation from the post of party vice-chairman recently. Party leaders said the national convention will form a concrete mechanism in the party to discourage the trend of handpicking leaders for important posts.

After failing to resolve the dispute, the party has called for an extended central committee (CC) meeting for July 19 July in Kathmandu. But the extended CC meeting will only provide a temporary solution to the dispute.
“The extended CC meeting will only provide a temporary solution. The dispute over organizational structure and power sharing would be resolved by the mechanism formed by the general convention,” said Chief of the Tamsaling state committee Bishwabhakta Dulal. He said the national convention will bring about a total policy change in the party.

The CC extended meeting will prepare the party for the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls scheduled for November 19. The party will call its national convention after the polls.
“We are holding discussions on holding the national convention in mid-January if the CA polls are held on schedule,” said Dulal. He also said that the seats under proportional representation would be distributed by mid-January.

The party is facing disputes over powers-sharing, especially after the party transformed into a parliamentary party after the Hetauda general convention. Though the party transformed into a parliamentary party, its organization structure remains unchanged.
The Hetauda general convention had concluded without giving full shape to the party CC and appointing office bearers. Formation of the party´s standing committee and politburo had also been left pending.

Chairman Dahal had presented a proposal on power-sharing in the CC meeting held last week. “Chairman Dahal´s proposal was opposed by CC members as party positions had been proposed on the whims of Dahal, Bhattarai and vice chairman Narayankaji Shrestha,” added Dulal.

Talking to media persons at the regular meeting at his party head office on Saturday, Spokesperson Agni Sapkota said that the party will develop a “four-in-one” organizational structure. As per this structure, the party committees will have equal representation of senior leaders, youths and regional and ethnic minorities.
Sapkota said that the party would call a national convention if the CC meeting fails to resolve the disputes.
from Republica