Nepal Maoists unite to float political party

Kathmandu, May 19 

After a string of splits, Maoist groups in Nepal today joined hands to form a political party under the leadership of Prachanda to prepare ground for a “socialist revolution” through pro-people capitalist revolution.

The merger of 10 Maoists groups, including the UCPN (Maoist) which is a part of the government, was announced at a programme here. The new party has been named the CPN-Maoist-Centre.  Prachanda will chair the new party.

Prachanda, known for his anti-India stance, said the days of Maoists’ defeat had come to an end. “This is not only the unity among the Maoists but also a new kind of national unity,” the former PM said. “This marks the unity among the oppressed and exploited classes,” he said.

He called on top Maoists leaders Mohan Baidya, Baburam Bhattarai and Netra Bikram Chand, who had split from the party, to join the unification drive. — PTI