KATHMANDU: Four days after the Maoist Center’s general convention concluded, almost all officials of Parisdanda-based central office have tested positive for COVID-19. Only two officials — Chief Secretary Shri Ram Dhakal and Shiva Khakurel — have tested negative for the coronavirus.

Following the news that officials at party’s central office tested positive, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is going into isolation from Thursday itself. Prachanda will be halting in-person meetings with party cadres and leaders, informed his Secretariat.

Maoist Center’s central party office Secretary Dor Prasad Upadhyaya and Abindra Parajuli, among others, contracted the coronavirus infection.

The Maoist Center concluded its 8th general convention in Kathmandu on January 2, by declaring a new 236-member Central Committee (CC). The convention had stretched for 8 days, with party leaders, cadres and officials engaging in closed sessions and discussions that ran long during the assembly.

Chair Prachanda was re-elected as party chair on January 3 by the newly elected CC, which is yet to finalize party’s central office-bearers, politburo and Standing Committee.