Party central committee members and leaders had criticized Basnet and party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, after the home ministry was found to be sending relatives of Basnet and Dahal to China in lieu of earthquake victims. Dahal had earlier told the party's standing committee that he was unaware of any wrongdoing.
Furnishing his clarification at the party meeting on Monday, Basnet admitted his 'blunder'. “After strong criticism from the central committee members, he (Basnet) engaged in self-criticism and also vowed not to repeat such a blunder,” said a party leader. Some of the party central committee members had demanded that the party recall the minister if he fails to engage in self-criticism and furnish satisfactory clarification, said the leader.
“Responding to some queries raised at the meeting about home ministry; Minister Basnet admitted his mistake and engaged in self-criticism,” said UCPN (Maoist) spokesman Dinanath Sharma. Basnet had blamed his secretariat for including his family members and relatives of party leaders in the visit team, without his knowledge, said party leader Devi Khadka.
Another leader said that party chairman Dahal has warned Basnet that the latter would be recalled if he made such mistake again.
Meanwhile UCPN (Maoist) central committee meeting has been adjourned till Saturday. “Some leaders have demanded some changes in the chairman's political paper. The party chairman will present his revised paper at the next meeting for endorsement,” said spokesman Sharma.
Altogether 117 leaders have aired their views in the ongoing central committee meeting.
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