Mahesh Basnet challenges party decision

KATHMANDU, June 18: Mahesh Basnet, chairman of Youth Association Nepal (YAN) of the ruling CPN-UML, has reiterated that he will not hand over Parshuram Basnet, who is accused of masterminding the attack on journalist Khilanath Dhakal, even as the UML on Friday instructed Parshuram to present himself before the authorities and cooperate with investigations into the incident.



Mahesh, who has been repeatedly claiming in public that YAN member Parshuram is under his protection, challenged the party´s decision.[break]



UML spokesman Pradip Gyawali, at a press meet organized by the party´s publicity department on Friday, had said the party had already directed Mahesh to hand over Parshuram to the authorities and cooperate with state agencies in the investigations.



"YAN protects its members and Mahesh Basnet does so also no matter whether the CPN-UML protects its cadres or not," Mahesh said at a function in Bhaktapur on Saturday.



Claiming that Parshuram, Morang district vice-chairman of the YAN, was not hand in glove with Dhakal´s assailants, Mahesh said he wouldn´t hand him over as long as they think that he is innocent. "We will hand over Parshuram only after he is proven guilty," he said.



Saying that YAN is a cadre-based organization with a nationwide network, he claimed that it is the association leader´s responsibility to protect its members.



He said he would resign from the post of association chairman if Parshuram´s involvement in the incident is proven.



Gyawali, at the press meet Friday, claimed that Parshuram was not in contact with the party, but Mahesh said on Saturday the latter was in contact with him.



Asked what the UML leadership would do if party cadres keep on challenging party directions instead of cooperating with the investigations, Gyawali said they will hold further discussions and take an appropriate decision.



"We are still sticking to our stance that every citizen should cooperate with state agencies in investigations and we instructed our cadres accordingly," he said. "We will hold further discussions and take an appropriate decision if we find any problems in implementing the party´s decision."



Meanwhile, a standing committee meeting of the association has formed a three-member team for dialogue with the FNJ. Association Vice-chairman Hari Rai and Secretaries Rajiv Pahari and Surya Dhakal are in the team. The meeting chaired by Mahesh and attended by UML Youth In-charge Yogesh Bhattarai also formed a committee to look into Mahesh´s arrest in Itahari and prepare a report within five days.



The meeting denounced news reports, claiming that media had intentionally attempted to defame the UML and YAN. It has urged the media to maintain decency.

Related story

Mahesh Basnet leading in IIam