KATHMANDU, Dec 31: Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) found something on the eve of New Year 2009, Wednesday, to cheer about. The party, which is walking an "uncomfortable journey" in the government with CPN (Maoist), welcomed about 150 Maoist cadres in its ranks. [break]
At a special function organized at the party headquarters, CPN-UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal welcomed the local leaders of his rival party by putting red vermillion powder on the head of the new entrants, who also sounded equally amused about joining the UML.
"CPN (Maoist) made false promises among the farmers, women and marginalized communities," said Dipak Pun, a district committee member of Maoist, at the function. "Maoist leaders didn´t care to pay attention to our disappeared and injured comrades. They shattered our dreams."
Pun said he learned lessons from Maoist party´s "false promises and wrong policies" and decided to join the UML. "Prime Minister and Maoist chairman had said he would never go to government, but send a farmer instead," he said, while venting his rage against the Maoist leader. "He is now moving around in a Pajero worth Rs 6 million." Pun also warned of seizing the property of "the party chairman and his coterie".
After devoting 10 precious years for the Maoists, Pun is now a loyal UML member. "During the conflict years, I would have killed you had I found an opportunity," he said, pointing at UML leader Khanal. "But now onwards, I promise to take your orders and execute assigned duties with full sincerity."
While venting frustration at Maoist leaders, Pun said Maoist trade union leader Saliram Jammakattel is the "most corrupt" in the CPN (Maoist) and he has built a huge house at Balkot, Bhaktapur worth Rs 50 million. While spending most of the time criticizing Maoist leaders, Pun said the Maoists are moving ahead with "criminal mentality".
Among those entering UML are Maoist´s district committee members, area committee members and general party members as well as members of controversial Maoist youth wing – the Young Communist League.
Welcoming the new members of the party, in-charge of UML´s Youth Force, Mahesh Basnet, said the UML was in contact with the Maoist members for a long time. He claimed that the Maoist party had stopped some other members from joining the UML. "We are also in contact with those providing security to the Maoist party chairman and Baburam Bhattarai (another Maoist leader)," claimed Basnet, adding that there are other Maoists, with bullets in their body, ready to join the UML.
The new UML members clapped and danced after being welcomed by party general secretary Khanal.
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