Dahal admits left electoral alliance decision not discussed within party

Former Nepal Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has admitted that forging a left electoral alliance without first discussing the matter within the party was a mistake.

He admitted that there were some "procedural lapses" while taking the decision of forging a left electoral alliance with the CPN-UML and the Naya Shakti Nepal.

On October 3, the three parties announced a left electoral alliance -- sending across a message of bringing all the communist forces under one umbrella.

Dahal during the party's politburo meeting and political training on Saturday admitted that forging the alliance without putting the matter for discussion at any of the committees of the party, which is a routine procedure, was a mistake, the Kathmandu Post reported.

Leaders, including former Finance Minister Barshaman Pun, had questioned the leadership's "surprising and abrupt announcement".

"It was obvious on the part of the leaders to express dissatisfaction as the decision that can impact the life of the party has come out of nowhere," Pun was quoted as saying during the meeting.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman, however, attempted to defend the move and said the decision to forge an alliance with the UML was a result of "extreme pressure and compulsion".

He admitted that the decision of such huge import should have been taken after holding extensive discussions at different party committees.

"But that could not happen."

Leaders of both the UML and Maoist Centre have said the left alliance is a precursor to a unified "communist force".

Dahal told his party members that he himself had proposed unity between the Maoist Centre and the UML when the latter had come up with the proposal of forging an electoral alliance.

Though a section of leaders expressed their dissatisfaction at not discussing the issue within the party before the announcement, all Maoist Centre leaders opined that there had been some problems with the party's partnership with the Nepali Congress and that a left alliance was required.

Dahal's "pressure and compulsion" argument on Saturday stems from the fact that the Maoist Centre, which has gone through highs and lows since it joined the mainstream politics in 2006, had of late been finding itself cast adrift.

Despite emerging as the single largest party in the first Constituent Assembly elections in 2008, the party lost its sheen by the time the second elections were held when it faced a drubbing.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) also performed miserably in all the provinces in the recent local level polls.

--IANS

amit/rn