Bhattarai, a veteran leader of the Unified CPN-Maoist, was the senior-most leader after party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda. Bhattarai, who spent his years as a student at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University and is said to have close links with India, has been sympathetic to the agitation launched by Madhesi parties demanding more rights and representation to the people residing in the southern plains of Nepal.
He has consistently attacked lawmakers, including members of his own party, for not taking minorities concerns into account during the drafting of the new Constitution -- Nepals first by elected representatives.
The 61-year-old leader has indicated that he would form a new political "force" within a couple of months. "Effective from todays date I have resigned from all obligations, responsibilities at all levels as well as general membership of the UCPN Maoists," Bhattarai told
Bhattarais decision has given a big jolt to the UCPN-M as he leads a strong faction within the party, say insiders. The UCPN-M has 124 seats in the 601-member Parliament. Party sources say nearly half of the Maoist lawmakers are likely to toe Bhattarais line.
Bhattarai, who led the second Maoist government between 2011 and 2013, was one of the key figures behind Nepals civil war that killed nearly 17,000 people. He was the vice chair of the UCP-M that fought a decade long war to topple the monarchy in Nepal.
No comments:
Post a Comment