Maoist CC postponed

KATHMANDU, Sept 8: The Maoist party establishment has postponed the party´s Central Committee meeting scheduled for Sept 19 to Sept 30, citing Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarari´s upcoming trip to New York to attend the 66th UN General Assembly.



A meeting of party top office bearers on Thursday took a decision to this effect.[break]



Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal was compelled to schedule a meeting of the CC to resolve the matter of weapons handover to the Special Committee, after hardliners in the party vehemently opposed the move, terming it a “capitulation to regressive forces.”



The keys handover issue has ignited fresh disputes within the Maoist party, with the moderates siding with Dahal and Bhattarai and hardliners siding with Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya.



The hardliners have not joined the government led by Bhattarai, in protest against the party´s move.



“We will not join the government until the keys handover issue is resolved,” said party Secretary CP Gajurel, talking to reporters after the meeting of top office bearers Thursday.



In view of the approaching Dashain festival, the CC meeting is not likely to take place immediately after the prime minister´s return to Kathmandu on Sept 24.

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