OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

‘I Will Not Return To UML’

— Chandra Prakash Mainali

Following his removal from the chief of the Party Organization Department, CPN-ML leader C.P. Mainali is once again in the news. The feud between Gautam and Mainali has become the talk of the town. Mainali was one of the key figures to split CPN-UML and form the breakaway CPN-ML. He spoke to SPOTLIGHT denying the rumor about his possible return to the mother party CPN-UML. Excerpts:

It is reported that you have sent feelers to join CPN-UML. Is that true?

It is a false rumor spread by my old enemies to demoralize me. I will never return to the CPN-UML which is a club of handful of conspirators.

But one of your old colleague, Pradeep Nepal claimed that he has received your letter regarding the return?

Everyone knows how Pradeep Nepal lies. He can say and do whatever he likes. Nepal is one of the conspirators in the CPN-UML who was responsible to split the party.

Then, what will be your next step?

I will announce it later. One thing is certain that I will not go back to CPN-UML.

How do you see your removal from the Organizational Department of the party?

I have already told that the decision was taken by the central committee without discussing it.

But your party colleagues allege that you yourself are responsible for the removal?

I was removed even after I confessed some mistakes. My removal is not valid according to the party's norms.

Are you still in your party?

I am still a member of the party. I will continue my struggle in the party.

Quality Of UML Leaders

CPN-UML leaders have set more than a dozen of records in the parliament. From breaking chairs to smashing window panes, they have bagged different records. In their record breaking process, they have recently set another one. UML leaders have set a new record by standing at the dias of parliament. Last week when debate over the resignation of the State Minister Mohammad Aftab Alam was going on, two senior leaders of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal and Pradeep Nepal lost their temper and suddenly started shouting by standing atop the dias exposing their versatile talents.

Desperate Deuba

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is nowadays desperate to pull down the government led by his political Guru Girija Prasad Koirala who recently defeated him in the election of the parliamentary party leadership. Deuba knows that he cannot pull down Koirala from power on his own. This is the reason he is seeking blessings from former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. As Bhattarai is himself interested to become Prime Minister once again, can Deuba realize his dreams?

Devkota In Dilemma

After the Election Commission (EC) revoked the party registration, RPP (Chand) leader Rajeshwor Devkota has gone silent over what he will do next. His political rival Surya Bahadur Thapa has already invited him to join the mainstream RPP but Devkota is in a dilemma. With most of his old colleagues now rejoining Thapa's RPP, Devkota is mulling his future though he has for the time being knocked at the court's door against the EC's decision.