Nepali CPN-Maoist splits, General Secretary Netra Bikram Chand leaves party

KATHMANDU: Nepal's CPN-Maoist party led by Chairman Mohan Baidya 'Kiran' suffered a split today with its General Secretary and second-in-command announcing his decision to part ways with the organisation.

Netra Bikram Chand in a statement today said that some leaders close to him have broken "all ties with the leadership of party Chairman Mohan Baidya", as he can lead neither the party, nor the class struggle.

"We hereby announce our separation from the party," the statement said, adding the future course of action will be decided soon after discussions.

"We have also decided to unveil our future strategy after holding internal talks on how to take the Nepali revolution ahead and make it the party of proletariats," the statement said.

Earlier yesterday in the extended Central Committee meeting of the party, Chand had clarified that unity was possible only if the party adopted his political line.

The CPN-Maoist is a breakaway faction of the UCPN (Maoist) led by Chairman Prachanda. It split from the UCPN (Maoist) two years back.