Maoist factionalism seen in sport also

KATHMANDU, June 24: Growing factionalism and tussle for power within the UCPN (Maoist) have surfaced not only in party´s internal politics but also in sport.



UCPN (Maoist) sister organization Republican Sports Federation of Nepal (RSFN) has condemned a decision taken by the mother party to appoint Yuvaraj Lama as member-secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC). [break]



“The federation has been pressing the party´s agenda of restructuring Nepali sport but the party leadership itself has ignored our contribution,” said Jayandra Bahadur Chand, coordinator of the federation, during a press conference organized in the capital on Friday. “The party leadership could not properly evaluate the contribution of our cadres,” he added.



The Youth and Sports Ministry led by UCPN (Maoist) leader Hit Man Tamang appointed Lama as member-secretary on June 12 after the government appointed six people including Lama to the NSC board on the recommendation of the UCPN (Maoist).



Lama, a well-known filmmaker, had joined the UCPN (Maoist) two years ago along with other film artistes and is close to party Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal.



Meanwhile, federation coordinator Chand, brother of UCPN (Maoist) standing committee member Netra Bikram Chand, is close to Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya.



“The party leadership should not have ignored its wing (federation), preferring personal and family relations. The party should have evaluated the cadres as per their commitment and the duties performed,” said coordinator Chand.



“Sport is related to national pride. If someone in leadership ignores this and serves the interests of a certain faction within the party, it harms not only the party but the entire nation and the players themselves,” he added.



Meanwhile, the federation has formed a committee headed by CA member Kiran Rai and coordinator Chand to establish a dialogue with the party leadership and the NSC board. “We´ll look after the work of the newly formed NSC board. If they step in to establish a dialogue and seek understanding, we will support the new board, otherwise we will not,” said Chand.



The federation is yet to hold its convention after it was formed four years ago. “We are thinking about conducting our convention soon but we´re also waiting to see an end to the dispute over the party´s general line and factionalism,” said Chand.

Related story

No factionalism in RSP: Rabi Lamichhane