Madhav Nepal faction terms CC reshuffle a ploy to split UML; vows to retaliate

KATHMANDU: The disgruntled faction led by Madhav Kumar Nepal faction of the CPN-UML has lambasted party Chairman KP Oli’s decision of reshuffling the central committee by dismissing leaders close to the Nepal faction as a “ploy to split the party”.

The faction has also decided to retaliate the decision taken by Prime Minister and party Chairman KP Oli to reshuffle the central committee in an organized manner.

“The move taken by Prime Minister and party Chairman KP Oli is aimed at splitting the party,” party leader Bhim Rawal told journalists after an emergency meeting in New Baneswor Friday evening.

Rawal warned of retaliation against Oli’s move of reshuffling the central committee by dismissing the UML central members who are close to party senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal.

He said that they would call a meeting of the party leaders and discuss the issue and come to a logical conclusion against Oli’s decision.

Rawal added that any decision taken against the party’s statute would neither be legal nor acceptable for them warning of dire consequences if Oli did not withdraw his decision.

He also termed Oli’s decision as undemocratic.

Earlier on Friday, Chairman Oli nominated 23 former leaders of the CPN (Maoist Center) to the UML’s Central Committee.

A meeting of the UML’s PM Oli faction held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar nominated the former Maoist leaders to UML central committee.

Likewise, the CPN-UML has decided to hold its general convention in November.

Prime Minister Oli, also the chairperson, fixed the date of the party’s general convention after holding discussions with party leaders at his official residence in Baluwatar Friday.

According to a Baluwatar source, the party has decided to hold the general convention in the third week of November.

The decision, however, was taken without informing the dissident leaders including Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, sources said.

With this, the number of CPN-UML central committee members has reached 264.

The party has also appointed Pradeep Gyawali as its Spokesperson.

Likewise, the CPN-UML is holding a central committee meeting on Sunday.