KATHMANDU, Aug 2: CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal sharply criticized Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma for publicly discussing internal party matters. During a party's standing committee meeting held on Friday, Dahal expressed dissatisfaction with his recent activities and issued a strict directive not to bring internal disputes outside the party in the future, as Sharma has been raising the issue of leadership change for the past few months.
“This is a party’s internal matter. No one has the right to make it public. The media has been used to escalate the issue, which is unacceptable,” a Standing Committee member quoted Dahal as saying. Presenting the meeting’s agenda, Dahal remarked, “Janardanji has repeatedly made public remarks about internal conflicts within the party. This must stop. Such activities do not serve the party’s interest.” For the past few times, Dahal and Sharma have been engaging in public exchanges of accusations, leading the party into a two-line ideological struggle.
On July 22 and 23, during an event commemorating the 47th memorial day of CPN founder Pushpalal, Dahal and Sharma exchanged accusations publicly. According to another leader, Dahal expressed concern that communist principles within the party are being undermined and replaced by bourgeois tendencies.
NCP bars its leaders, cadres from airing dissent in public
Dahal proposed dismantling interest groups within the party. “While everyone has the right to discuss and debate party matters internally, the way Janardanji spoke publicly was inappropriate and sent a negative message. Party discipline must be upheld,” another Standing Committee member quoted Dahal as saying.
At Wednesday’s central office bearers’ meeting, General Secretary Dev Gurung had tabled a proposal for party unity. The proposal was discussed seriously during Friday’s Standing Committee meeting. Some members even raised the need to take disciplinary action against Sharma over the issues he raised.
Following Sharma’s public call for a special convention to restructure the party, hand over leadership, and address the weakening of internal democracy (democratic centralism), this matter will be discussed in Saturday’s Standing Committee meeting. “The party’s internal life will be the focus of Saturday’s meeting,” said one office bearer.
A few days ago, Dahal, without naming Sharma, publicly criticized some leaders for “playing games,” which led to both Sharma’s proposal and issues of discipline being brought forward together. “Raising internal matters at public events is a disciplinary issue. That’s why we said the Standing Committee must discuss it. The discussion will take place today (Saturday),” a Maoist leader said. During the Pushpalal memorial program on July 23, Dahal had stated that the party was practicing the highest form of ‘people’s democracy. ’ “Even now, some comrades are acting as if they are allowed to play around. I’ve given them enough room to do so,” Dahal had said.
In response, on Tuesday, Sharma posted a four-point proposal on social media, calling for a special general convention. He said propaganda suggesting a party split was coming from the top leadership, creating confusion among the public and party cadres, and therefore, a special convention was necessary.
Deputy General Secretary Sharma, who has publicly disagreed with Chair Dahal, reiterated his demand for a special convention during Wednesday’s office bearers’ meeting. He also submitted his four-point proposal during that meeting. Sharma’s faction is preparing to raise the issue starting with Saturday’s meeting.
In Friday’s meeting, Dahal briefed members on the current situation within the party and explained both national and international contexts. Leaders are expected to begin expressing their views on Dahal’s agenda starting Saturday. Deputy General Secretary Haribol Gajurel said internal contradiction within the party is natural. “It’s normal to have internal contradictions. Just because we discussed it yesterday doesn’t mean something major will happen today,” he said. According to Gajurel, Saturday’s meeting will begin at 11 AM.
Chairperson Dahal has proposed holding the party’s Central Committee (CC) meeting in the first week of October. He made this proposal during the Standing Committee meeting, suggesting it be held between Dashain and Tihar festivals. The Maoist Center has not been able to convene its CC meeting for a long time. Dahal also stated that the campaign focused on the Mid-Hill Highway, which has been delayed due to the monsoon, will resume on August 31 and be brought to completion.