Disputes in Maoist Hong Kong committee

HONG KONG, Oct 11: Sharp disputes have surfaced in the formation of the Hong Kong Committee of the UCPN (Maoist). The differences appeared in the first-ever gathering of party cadres in Hong Kong after a proposal to appoint Purna Loksam as the new secretary was vehemently opposed by the faction led by Pawan Basnet.



After the gathering formed a 25-member committee, the party establishment had proposed Loksam as secretary, and Pawan Basnet and JB Okham as deputy general secretaries.[break] The Basnet faction walked out of the gathering Sunday night alleging the establishment faction of not honoring the opinion of the party cadres in Hong Kong in selecting Loksam as the secretary.



Basnet said that 15 members of the committee also walked out of the gathering in his support. “It is not that we have quit the party or boycotted the gathering. But if the party establishment doesn´t take initiative for reconciliation, we will form a separate committee,” said Basnet.



Loksam, however, said that the party is making attempts for reconciliation.  “Only four or five members quit the gathering. The dispute will be solved as there is no ideological difference,” he said.



Maoist politburo member Indra Mohan Sigdel and Kul Prasad KC, who are the representatives from the central committee, are trying to settle the disputes.

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