Party insiders told Republica that the conflict in the party is heading to a ´point of no return´ and Bhandari is likely to form a new party. But its unclear how many central committee members support Bhandari. [break]
Bhandari, in a tit for tat move, published a notice in major Nepali newspapers addressed to party Chairman Gachchhadar, instead of sending it to the party, clarifying why he breached the party line to oppose the declaration of the election of the Constituent Assembly and joined hands with other non-ruling parties against the government.
Gachchhadar and Bhandari were close confidantes when they were in the Nepali Congress party until they joined the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) in 2008. They were also together when the MPRF split in 2009. But their relation started to cool after Bhandari was forced to resign from the post of Ministry for Defense early this year over his controversial remarks relating to territorial intigrity of the country.
Also, Bhandari Monday moved the Supreme Court against Gachchhadar asking the court to bar Gachchhadar from expeling him from the party. He argued Gachchhadar can´t expel him under the existing party statute.
Bhandari´s move came after the party´s disciplinary committee sought clarification from him by publishing a notice in newspapers on Friday, accusing him of breaching party´s official line and of being involved in activities against the party´s stated policies.
"We are in wait and watch mood. Our future steps will depend on the kind of decision the party´s central committee will take on Tuesday," said leader Pramod Gupta, who is close to Bhandari.
In the notice published in the major dailies Bhandari challenged the disciplinary committee to furnish proof, if any, of him breaching the party´s discipline.
Bhandari also termed the allegations as "baseless, hypothetical and biased" with an intent to take action against him at any cost.
Bhandari has stated that he participated in the ´Madhes Awareness Campaign´ as there was no initiative to begin the process of recruiting Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army. He argued that joining the campaign was in the line with a decision taken by the parliamentary party of MPRF-D on March 2 that the party would take stern step if the major agenda of Madhes were not addressed by April 12.
Bhandari has also challenged the party leadership to prove he formed parallel body in any district and has accused MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar of violating the party statute and code of conduct.
Saying that he has not formed alliance with any anti-federalist party, Bhandari said he just protested against the prime minister´s illegal step [to announce the November 22 election of the Constituent Assembly].
Bhandari has accused Gachchhadar of making the MPRF-D a private company and of taking unilateral decision against the spirit of collective leadership.
"Mr. Chairman, Madhesi peoples have not forgotten your consent on 11-province model by betraying Madhesis. Should there be disciplinary action against you for such betraya and suicidal consents?" reads the clarification letter addressed to Gachchhadar.
Bhandari has questioned on the ground of announcement of new CA election and said it was unilateral decision to agree to dissolution of the CA.
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