Dahal struggles to reconcile with Baidya

KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Nearly a week has passed since all the members of the Maoist Central Committee (CC) completed their speeches at the CC meeting, but party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal continues his struggle to conclude the meeting due to mutual distrust among the rival factions of the party.



The meeting was supposed to conclude last Friday, but party leaders citing lack of homework stated that they would wrap it up on Sunday.[break]



On Tuesday, in a surprising turn of events, party radicals led by Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and Chairman Dahal agreed to withhold their separate political documents presented at the CC and formulate a common proposal to mobilize the masses for the sake of "people´s constitution" and "dignified" integration of the PLA into the Nepal Army (NA).



But deep suspicion between the moderates and hardliners placed the fate of the agreement in jeopardy.



"Suddenly, they began to spread propaganda that we are joining the current government. It is nothing but an attempt to divert the public attention from the genuine issues and split the party," said Kul Prasad KC who is close to Baidya.



The next day of his meeting with Baidya, Dahal met senior leaders from the Bhattarai faction and reportedly told them that the party hardliners are also ready to join the current coalition, and that infuriated the Baidya faction.



Taking strong exception to the statement, KC said: "We had just agreed to formulate common political programs and nothing else. It is an attempt to tarnish us," said KC.



Leaders close to Baidya say the party chairman was also positive about recalling Baburam Bhattarai from the government, one of the key demands of the Baidya faction, and review the four-point and seven-point peace deals.



But Dahal´s changed stance created mistrust between the two rival factions and they are still discussing the content of the proposal.



"We have put forward our suggestions to the chairman, and the issues are yet to be settled," said party leader Netra Bikram Chand who is close to Baidya. He said the party will hold a CC meeting on Friday if the differences are resolved.



Baidya had met Dahal at the latter´s residence on Thursday evening to discuss the issue, but sources say the leaders could not agree on the agreement.



As per the earlier agreement between the two leaders, the party was to mobilize the masses for a "pro-people" constitution and "dignified" integration of the PLA personnel, and foment an urban insurrection if the party fails in its endeavor.



While Dahal wants to stick to the line of peace and also retain Baidya in the party, the latter thinks that an immediate revolt is inevitable as parliamentary parties -- the NC and UML -- are against the people´s constitution and dignified integration of the PLA personnel into the NA directorate.

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