Janardan Sharma likely to announce new campaign as he boycotts Maoist Centre meeting

LATLITPUR: Dissident CPN (Maoist Centre) leader and former Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma is holding a separate press conference in Lalitpur alongside leader Ram Karki, signaling a major split within the party.

Sharma, who boycotted today’s Maoist Centre meeting convened to approve the unification deal with the CPN (Unified Socialist) and seven other leftist groups, is expected to announce either a new political campaign or the reorganization of the Maoist movement.

The press conference, taking place at Satkar Café in Bakundol, comes as Maoist Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ leads what is being described as the final meeting of the Maoist Centre before its merger into the new unified left party.

Sharma had on Monday formally communicated to Prachanda his decision to reject the unification process, stating that the current move dilutes the ideological foundation of the Maoist struggle.

According to insiders, Sharma’s move is aimed at rallying disgruntled leaders and cadres who oppose Prachanda’s decision to abandon the Maoist identity and adopt a broader Marxist–Leninist line.

Party observers believe Sharma’s announcement could mark the beginning of a new front within the leftist movement, potentially reshaping internal dynamics in the aftermath of the unification.