“The process of putting forward views by the leaders is over on Saturday. We will reach some conclusion after the chairman´s speech on Sunday,” said Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma. [break]
Sharp differences surfaced during the meeting over the party´s strategic move and direction. The so-called hardliners led by senior vice-chairman Mohan Baidya have argued that the party should declare India as the main enemy and launch an immediate revolt. Baidya said that the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants should also be delayed as the party would need them for such a revolt.
But another vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai, backed by some influential leaders, argued that the party should focus on constitution writing and peace process. According to sources, Dr Bhattarai was of the opinion that the party should launch a revolt only if the constitution writing and peace process were thwarted.
“Then we will have mass support for a revolt and we will succeed,” Dr Bhattarai had told the committee on Tuesday. He has also declared India as the party´s main enemy.
Dahal´s position is still unclear.
According to sources, Baidya has been mainly backed by Dev Gurung and CP Gajurel.
Similarly, Bhattarai has been mainly backed by Barsha Man Pun, Dinanath Sharma and Lila Mani Pokharel. Party general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and few others have taken a neutral position.
According to sources, party leader Netra Bikram Chand, known as an outspoken hardliner, also spoke in favor of constitution writing and peace process. All the unresolved issues will be taken to the Maoist plenum slated for mid-February.
Related story
We’ll declare martyrs of people’s war as national martyrs: PM D...
