KATHMANDU, Nov 4; UCPN (Maoist) has expelled five of its central committee (CC) members for supporting Baburam Bhattarai's campaign to form a new political force. The party has also sought clarification from 16 others who had announced to join Bhattarai's campaign on Tuesday.
Standing committee meeting of the party held at the party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence in Lazimpat on Wednesday has ordered the 16 leaders to furnish clarification within five days.
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The party took the decision after 45 central level leaders announced on Tuesday that they would join Bhattarai in his bid to form a new party.
According to a press statement issued by UCPN (Maoist) Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma, politburo members Ram Chandra Jha, Mahendra Paswan and CC members Ram Kumar Sharma, Ram Rijhan Yadav and Ghanashyam Yadav have been expelled from the party.
Party General Secretary Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that UCPN (Maoist) decided to expel the leaders for violating the party's discipline.
"The party will not tolerate parallel activities. The party decided to ask clarification from those who are in illusion, and expel those who failed to submit their clarification," said Mahara after the meeting.
In a statement issued by the party it has accused the leaders sympathetic to Bhattarai's campaign of conspiring to dismantle communist movement and surrendering to the rightist elements.
Forty-five leaders from the UCPN (Maoist) had announced that they would join Baburam Bhattarai's campaign for a new political force on Tuesday after submitting a letter of explanation to the party.
Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) has summoned the party central committee meeting for November 26.
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