Dr Bhattarai has written a note of dissent over the CC decision, saying that he decided to skip the orientation function as he was not allowed to read his ´note of dissent´ over the party´s action plan to go for revolt. He said that he would not undertake self-criticism as there was no mistake on his part in taking such a decision.[break]
“I boycotted the orientation function as I was not allowed to read my note of dissent although the CC had decided that I could do so. I have committed no mistake. Therefore I disagree with the party´s decision to seek self-criticism from me,” a CC member quoted Dr Bhattarai as saying in his note of dissent over the call for self-criticism.
Leaders belonging to all three factions -- Chairman Dahal, Mohan Baidya and Dr Bhattarai -- have claimed that all differences that surfaced in the party were settled with the CC decision on Friday.
Talking to media after the meeting, Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said the CC meeting settled the differences seen within the party over Dr Bhattarai´s decision to boycott the orientation program. “The meeting has settled the row by adopting the methods of criticism and self-criticism,” Sharma said. “We´ve become united with a uniform understanding.”
The CC meeting was called to settle the differences seen in the party after Dr Bhattarai´s faction boycotted the orientation function following the decision of an office bearers´ meeting not to allow him to read his note of dissent at the function.
The CC meeting on Friday also decided to seek self criticism from politburo members Hisila Yami, who is Dr Bhattarai´s wife, and Nabaraj Subedi, and CC member Kumar Paudel. Subedi and Paudel had also boycotted the orientation function after Yami walked out of the meeting.
The meeting decided not to take action against party leaders below the rank of CC member, for boycotting the function.
“The meeting has passed a resolution seeking self-criticism, saying that it was a blunder to boycott the party function,” said a leader close to Chairman Dahal.
Speaking at today´s CC meeting, Dr Bhattarai said the difference arose as the guideline prepared to settle the note of dissent issue is not clear whether to allow the reading out of the ´note of dissent´ among party cadres.
Bhattarai had tried to make it clear that it was not his intention to boycott the orientation function and challenged them to substantiate the allegation that he had boycotted it intentionally. “I´ve spent my blood and sweat for 20 years now for the party,” a leader quoted Bhattarai as saying in the meeting. “It is not a matter of intention. I challenge anyone to substantiate the allegation.”
Leaders close to the party´s establishment faction had accused him of boycotting the function intentionally to thwart the party´s action plan and split the party.
The CC meeting decided to take Bhattarai´s ´note of dissent´ to all levels of party committees ranging from the CC to the cell committee. The note of dissent will be attached to the decision on political action plan endorsed by the party CC.
Prior to this, the CC had decided only to inform party cadres about the ´note of dissent´ but not attach it to the decision passed by the CC. “Since the note of dissent could affect the party official line the party´s official rebuttal against the ´note of dissent´ will also be attached,” another leader close to Dahal said.
As per the CC decision on Friday, Dr Bhattarai can speak at the cadres´ orientation but not read out his ´note of dissent´. “Bhattarai will speak at the orientation program in favor of the official line on the party action plan. He can just speak of his differences with the action plan,” said one standing committee member known as a middle-path leader in the party.
Janadesh editor reinstated
The CC meeting has decided to reinstate sacked editor-in-chief of Janadesh weekly, Komal Baral. Baral was sacked on Monday by Dr Bhattarai after he refused to publish his interview without any editing. Bhattarai, in his capacity as the party´s publicity department chief and owner of Jhilko Prakashan which publishes the Maoist´ mouthpiece, had sacked Baral.
Meanwhile, the CC meeting has directed Janadesh to publish self-criticism over a news item titled “Different view” published last week in a subsequent edition.
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