Dahal issues fourth instruction to reinstate Bhatta as parliamentary party leader

KATHMANDU: CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed party leaders in Sudurpashchim Province to elect Khagaraj Bhatta as the parliamentary party leader in the Sudurpashchim Province Assembly.

This is the fourth time that Dahal has issued such an instruction.

Following the party’s consultation meeting in Dhangadhi, Dahal directed party leaders to elect Bhatta to the position immediately. “A circular has already been issued by the chairperson and general secretary to elect Bhatta as the party leader,” Dahal stated. “That circular must be implemented immediately. This meeting has also made a directive decision for that purpose.”

Bhatta was removed from the position by a majority vote in the parliamentary party meeting on January 26.  Six out of 11 province members, who were present in the meeting, elected then-Chief Whip Man Bahadur Dhami as the parliamentary party leader. Dhami, Deputy Leader Akkal Bahadur Rawal, Shiva Singh Oli, Om Bikram Bhatt, Laxmi BK and Gita Devi Mal voted against Bhatta in the meeting.

Two months ago, Dahal held discussions with province assembly members of the party and instructed them to elect Bhatta as the parliamentary party leader to keep the party united. Subsequently, Dahal issued a written instruction to the Sudurpashchim Province Committee of the party to elect Bhatta as the parliamentary party leader. On July 18, Dahal sought clarification from parliamentary party leader Dhami and instructed him to appoint Bhatta as the parliamentary party leader.

However, Maoist Center’s assembly members in the province have been flouting Dahal’s instructions.