UML General Secy Pokharel regrets party split

KATHMANDU: CPN (UML) General-Secretary Shankar Pokharel regretted that the leftist political parties should not have split due to intraparty dispute among the leaders or conflict of interest regarding party policy and program. 

Extending best wishes to the CPN (Maoist Center)'s Eighth National General Convention in the capital on Sunday, General-Secretary Pokharel underscored an honest effort for the party unification bid. 

"Although the communist coalition formed during the last election as per the mandate of the public, it was unfortunate that split in the alliance could not be staved off," Pokharel bemoaned. 

Regretting that the unity in the CPN-UML could not be fended off from the split, he argued that it was essential to move ahead according to the expectation of the public rather than being swayed by the intraparty disputes and conflict of interest. 

"It's high time we introspective whether we could deliver development and prosperity," said the General-Secretary.

He recalled the peaceful rally he had led in protest of the suppression by the erstwhile government on Maoist cadres when they had launched the armed conflict in Rolpa and Rukum districts.

Pokharel also shared that he had proposed that the constitution and restructuring of the State would also ensure an outlet to the country. According to him, all political parties should be able to forge a common viewpoint on the concerns relating to nationality, sovereignty, foreign affairs and economic development. 

He clarified that there were not any differing viewpoints between CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre)'s on socialism and prosperity envisioned by both parties hence, he said, both parties could move ahead in unison. 

Pokharel congratulated CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' for, according to him, 'Prachanda' could be elected to the party leadership again.