"The decision of the party´s Standing Committee to reject reinstatement of the Constituent Assembly, to not allow promulgation of the constitution through the Constituent Assembly or hold elections for the Constituent Assembly reflects the party´s regressive thinking," Vice-chairman of the CPN-UML Ashok Rai said in a statement on Friday. Rai has been leading the dissident Janjati leaders. [break]
The dissident leaders issued the statement following a meeting held two days after the party decided to reject reinstatement of the Constituent Assembly and stripped them of their responsibilities on the charge of not carrying out party work.
The Standing Committee decision was a rejection of the dissident leaders´ demand that the party stand for reinstatement of the dissolved Constituent Assembly.
Dissident leader Prithvi Subba Gurung told Republica that the decision contradicts a recent decision of the Central Committee. A recent meeting of the Central Committee had decided to keep the party open to any option for resolving the present political deadlock.
"We have concluded that the party´s decision will lead the country into regression," Gurung further said about the meeting of the dissident leaders.
The leaders have also decided not to furnish clarifications to the party´s disciplinary committee after they were removed from their responsibilities without allowing them time to furnish the clarifications.
"Only three comrades had received letters from the party seeking clarifications. We wanted to furnish our clarifications. But we have now concluded that following the decision of the Standing Committee there is no need to respond to the call for clarifications," Gurung said.
The dissident leaders have also expressed their anger over the party not allowing them to hold discussions on differing views though the party adheres to democratic values. They have warned of severe consequences from the decision but refrained from specifying what they mean by severe consequences.
Asked what their move will be if the party does not revoke the Standing Committee decision, Gurung said, "Let´s wait and see. Time will tell."
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