Bhattarai calls for party unity

KATHMANDU, March 27: UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai has expressed concern over the ´rumor´ that he is preparing to split the party, and stated that he would struggle to keep the party united.



Bhattarai put forward such views during his meeting with party cadres at his residence in Sanepa on Sunday. [break]



"This is merely a propaganda being spread to fulfil the vested interests of some people," a participant in the meeting quoted Bhattarai as saying.



The Maoist vice-chairman was responding to queries from participants regarding a text message being circulated through cell phones that reads "Bhattarai is preparing to split the party."



According to sources, the text message was circulated among the cadres in western Nepal, and the leaders close to Dahal in Kathmandu also began telling the party stalwarts that Bhattarai was for splitting the party.



Bhattarai has accused the party establishment of ´hatching conspiracy to capture party leadership´ by spreading the rumor.



"We would never let come true the daydreaming of those planning to split the party -- no matter whether they are from wihtin the party or outside," a party leader quoted Bhattarai as telling the cadres.



The participants said Bhattarai told the cadres that he tolerated the party´s ´unjustifiable action´ against him just ahead of the Chunwang meeting and subsequent "humiliation", but he never wished to split the party.



The Maoist party is bedeviled by growing factionalism and mistrust among the top three leaders.

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