KATHMANDU: Standing Committee member of the CPN (Maoist Center) Leelamani Pokhrel has said that the unification between the Maoist Center and the CPN (UML) took place as per a ‘secret’ plan.

The unification was for a short term and as per a plan at that time, there was a need for this to happen for the Maoist Center, he said while addressing a gathering of party cadres at Shankhadhar Chowk in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality on Friday.

They (Maoist Center) regarded UML Chair KP Oli as chair and leader of the unified party because the party unification would not have taken place without his consensus, he said. He however said that the Maoist Center was at work to forge a unification with revolutionary groups within the UML.

On the ordinance related to political parties brought recently by the incumbent government, he defended that this move was to protect the constitution. On Millennium Challenge Corporation, he said it would not be implemented as it is a threat to the sovereignty of the country.