KATHMANDU: Disputes within the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), a ruling partner in the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government, have touched a new high.
It has been reported that Chairman Upendra Yadav and another Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai are “separating” soon.
In this scenario, Khabarhub’s Dhiraj Basnet approached JSP leader Amrita Devi Agrahari to find out the reason behind the ongoing controversy and conflict in the party. Excerpts:
Is the dispute within JSP on the verge of a party split?
Despite the news in the media, I do not believe that the party is heading towards a split. As JSP is formed of four different parties it is natural to have voices of dissent, controversy, and dissatisfaction.
There is dissatisfaction and dispute in every party. I don’t think the party will break up over a small debate.
It has come out that Upendra Yadav and Baburam Bhattarai have agreed to disassociate! What do you say about it?
Both have not officially said so. I heard this from Chairman Yadav but not from Dr. Bhattarai. If this is true, it will be unfortunate for any party.
There is a lot of energy when combined. The party should not break up over small dissatisfactions. We have to move forward with mutual understanding.
I have saved this party from the Rastriya Janata Party (RJP). This party was about to end, but all the friends of the RJP came together to save JSP. So it’s not weak. Conflicts are a natural phenomenon in every party in a multi-party system.
You have come to support Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. There are allegations that the party is about to split because of you!
I am a JSP cadre. Everything in it is ours. You say get along well. You can’t be good or bad. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has talked about inclusion and I also want inclusion in everything.
What are the reasons behind your party reaching this position, where did the leader go wrong?
Together with 11 RJP friends, we decided to save this party. But Chairman Upendra Yadavji did not give much recognition to the contribution of RJP. He ignored.
If we had not saved the party, this party would not be in existence today. We have been discriminated against by the president. I myself am discriminated against. He did not want to eliminate discrimination. This is the reason for the controversy.
There was the meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) last Monday. Did you attend it?
I had no information about it that day.
It is said that Monday’s CEC meeting decided to seek clarification from Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Agriculture Minister Mahendra Ray Yadav and Central Executive Member Ganga Narayan Shrestha on the allegation of anti-party activities. Doesn’t it lead to a party split?
If anyone acted against the party, it is natural to seek clarification. But that has to be proven. One should distinguish who aims to save the party, reconciles and goes for dialogue.
If there is no conclusion even during the discussion, one should seek clarification. So the rumors that are circulating now are trying to alienate the leader. If the leaders do not change such attitudes, the party may break. However, there is no such situation right now.
Did you know that Dr. Baburam Bhattarai repeatedly met with CPN Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at the Vice President’s Office?
It should not be considered unnatural for any leader to meet every leader of the country. Thinking about the nation should not be considered negative.
We have to think about why our country is lagging behind today. It is the result of thinking that one should not meet the leader of another party.
It has come out that the meeting discussed how to bring Dr. Bhattarai to the Maoist Center rather than thinking about the national interest?
No one knows what happened inside. But when one leader talks to another outside, the people must understand that they have spoken in the interest of the nation.
Where would you stand if the party broke up?
I do not belong to any faction. I will be with the one who tries to save this party and moves forward by correcting the shortcomings within the party, the leader who does not split the party. JSP is our party, I will be with and in JSP.
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