Oli ready to pardon UML leaders
By HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
Twenty-two lawmakers of the Madhav Kumar Nepal-Jhalanath Khanal faction of the CPN-UML today furnished their explanation to party Chair KP Sharma Oli, claiming that they had not violated party discipline.
Lawmaker Birodh Khatiwada, who is close to Nepal, said the 22 lawmakers wrote that they had opposed Oli's undemocratic moves and the Supreme Court had vindicated their position in both the cases challenging the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Oli had asked the 22 lawmakers to explain why they should not be expelled from the party for anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, the UML's establishment faction decided to continue attempts to forge unity between the two factions.
UML Spokesperson Pradeep Kumar Gyawali told mediapersons after the central committee meeting that Oli said he would pardon leaders for their past mistakes if they wanted to come back and strengthen the party.
Gyawali said the party would make efforts till the last minute to keep party unity intact.
Asked to comment on Madhav Kumar Nepal's remarks that he would not stay in the party if subjected to humiliation, Gyawali said Nepal should realise that he brought the party's government down and helped the Nepali Congress attain power.
Answering a journalist's query, Gyawali said the party's general convention could take a call on the age bar for party leaders and limiting the number of times a leader could contest the top party post.
Meanwhile, addressing the 43rd death anniversary of legendary communist leader Pushpa Lal, Nepal said he would not remain in the party if he was humiliated. He said the name and election symbol of a party did not mean much if the party was not committed to people's cause.
Nepal said screaming from one's balcony and taking out rallies wearing monkey masks would not help the cause of unity. Oli had recently said from the balcony of his house that Nepal had no place in the party. Supporters of the Oli faction also took out a rally in Kathmandu wearing monkey masks to mock the Nepal faction.
