Bhattarai boycotted the program after Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal turned down his request to let him read out his dissent in the closed-door training that saw the participation of over 5,000 cadres from the Maoists´ Newa, Tamsaling and Kathmandu special states.[break]
The Maoist ideologue who had reached the place in the morning to participate in the top office bearers´ meeting held ahead of the training session, returned home immediately after Dahal rejected his demand.
While those close to Bhattarai claim that the last central committee (CC) had allowed Bhattarai to put forward his dissent in the program, Dahal faction argued that the CC had agreed on just informing the cadres about Bhattarai´s dissent, instead of letting him read out his whole political document.
"The CC had decided to allow Bhattarai to put forward his views at the program, though it barred him from presenting his views on the day. So he left the place without participating in the meeting," said Maoist leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi who is close to Bhattarai.
But those close to Dahal differ.
Yami silenced
After Dahal finished his speech, party leader Hisila Yamai, who is also the wife of Bhattarai, forced her way to the podium, but was taken off the stage by leaders close to Dahal, who also switched off the microphone she was holding.
After Dahal finished his speech, party leader Hisila Yamai, who is also the wife of Bhattarai, forced her way to the podium, but was taken off the stage by leaders close to Dahal, who also switched off the microphone she was holding.
After Dahal finished his speech, party leader Hisila Yamai, who is also the wife of Bhattarai, forced her way to the podium, but was taken off the stage by leaders close to Dahal, who also switched off the microphone she was holding.
Coming out of the venue, she told the media that she just wanted to ask why Bhattarai, who was to put forward his dissent, was absent at the program. "I requested them to let me speak, but they did not. So, I shouted from the stage: Long live internal democracy," she said.
Party general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa criticized both Bhattarai and Yami for breaching the party discipline. "Some comrades tried to make the program look like a farce. The anarchic elements in the party are showing their true colors," Thapa stated in his speech after Yami left. Thapa also stated that the new development indicated the wishes of some leaders to deviate from the party´s official line of "revolt".
Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya did not directly attack Bhattarai and Yami but argued that none of the party leaders are allowed to breach the party discipline.
Party leaders say the incident indicates that the intra-party conflict has reached a tipping point and, if not addressed immediately, that may even lead to a vertical split in the party .
Bhattarai´s aides warned of "dire consequences" if the party takes action against him, Yami or any other leaders for what happened.
But other leaders argue that the party would address the problem amicably. "We are holding the standing committee meeting on Tuesday where we´ll try to work out solutions," said party secretary CP Gajurel.
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