Baidya threatens to recall sole minister from his faction

KATHMANDU, May 6: Senior Vice-chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Mohan Baidya has warned party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal that his faction will recall its sole minister -- Khadga Bahadur Biswakarma - and not cooperate over outstanding issues related to constitution writing if the portfolios for ministers from the party are not reshuffled.



Baidya issued the warning during a meeting with Chairman Dahal at the latter´s residence at Nayabazar on Thursday, a day after Dahal recommended "less important ministerial portfolios" for ministers from the Baidya faction in the fresh cabinet expansion. Baidya was accompanied by party Secretary CP Gajurel during the meeting. [break]



Talking to Republica, Baidya said the chairman has assured them that he would settle the issue as per the understanding reached earlier.



Dahal had earlier agreed to give the Ministry of Information and Communications to Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma and Tourism and Civil Aviation to Mahendra Paswan. "The chairman has assured us that he would settle the issue by tomorrow [Friday] morning. He has told us that he would arrange a fresh oath-taking ceremony after settling the issue of ministerial portfolios," Gajurel told Republica.



Jayapuri Gharti and Mahendra Paswan from the Baidya faction were appointed Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare and Minister for Supplies and Industry, respectively. Dhurba Kumar Limbu was appointed  state minister without allocating any portfolio. The three did not take the oath of office and secrecy, protesting the party chairman´s decision.



The Baidya faction is the least impressed despite assurances from Chairman Dahal. "We are likely to recall the only minister from our camp if Dahal does not correct the decision on allocation of portfolios," said a leader from Baidya´s camp.



A source said the Baidya faction has made up its mind to stick to its stance on various contentious issues that surfaced during the constitution-drafting process. Chairman Dahal has relinquished the party´s stance on a number of these issues.



The Baidya faction has alleged that Dahal relinquished the party´s stance on various agenda items concerning the new constitution even though that agenda had already been passed by majority at the various thematic committees under the Constituent Assembly. "We will keep our stance intact on all these contentious issues although Chairman Dahal has compromised on a number of agenda matters that the party had adhered to for so long," said a party leader belonging to the Baidya faction.

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