E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, JUL 04 -

Vice-chairman of the UCPN (Maoist) Baburam Bhattarai could become the prime ministerial candidate of the party if he meets certain pre-conditions put forth by Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, according to leaders close to Dahal.

Dahal, according to his confidants, has asked Bhattarai not to indulge in factionalism and support him in the party. His new offer comes at a time when Bhattarai is making alliance with another Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya on some organisational issues to end Dahal’s monopoly in the party.

Maoist politburo member Horibol Gajurel said Bhattarai’s chances of becoming the party’s prime ministerial candidate are high, as Dahal has already declared that he is not in the race for the top post.

Gajurel, who is close to Dahal, added that since senior Vice-chairman Baidya is not a Constituent Assembly (CA) member, he does not stand a chance.

Therefore, Gajurel said, Bhattarai is the possible candidate for the post. The Bhattarai faction has been mounting pressure on Dahal to nominate the vice-chairman as the party’s candidate for the prime ministerial berth. Maoist leaders say trust deficit exists between Dahal and Bhattarai although they are closer to consensus on the issues of peace and constitution. “Bhattarai’s move of initiating a signature campaign against Dahal in the name of inclusive representation in the government was a blunder,” said a leader close to Dahal.    

Even Bhattarai’s supports confirmed that Dahal has offered the post of prime minister. The chairman’s new offer is aimed to break the possible alliance between two vice-chairmen, which will put him in minority. “It is Dahal’s compulsion to forward Bhattarai’s name as he is in minority in the party after the signature campaign of 156 lawmakers,” said a Bhattarai supporter. Few days ago, Bhattarai and Baidya factions had initiated the signature drive demanding inclusiveness in the government.

The Bhattarai faction, however, doubts Dahal’s intention to forward Bhattarai's name for the top post. Central Committee member Khaga Raj Bhatta said Dahal brought the proposal with the aim of garnering a majority support in the party.

“We will not accept Dahal’s conditions to continue his monopoly in the party,” said Bhatta. Bhattarai’s supporters have also readied conditions for Dahal before accepting the top post. “We would not accept all the misdeeds of Dahal just to become a prime minister,” claimed another leader.

 

Posted on: 2011-07-04 08:17

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