UML invites party defectors to join ‘old house’

KATHMANDU: In its attempt to prevent further damage in the party just ahead of the CA polls created by the party deserters, the CPN-UML has asked its former leaders and carders to join the party terming the UML as the ‘old house’.

Many influential leaders have deserted the UML blaming it as a status-quoist force and not respecting people’s pulse for change.

Last week, CPN (UML) senior leader from Madhes Ram Chandra Jha quitted the party and joined the UCPN (Maoist) while sources said that many leaders from the Madesh are in queues to quit the UML.

However, at a press meeting at the party headquarters on Monday, the top UML leaders urged all communist parties for party unification.

UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal on Monday also reiterated that the CPN-UML was an ocean and a jar of water out from this could do no harm to the party.

Former party Vice-chairman Ashok Rai, influential leaders Rajendra Shrestha, Mangalsiddhi Manandhar, Rakam Chemjong, Bijaya Subba, Rijwan Ansari, Radha Krishna Mainali, Devi Prasad Ojha, Jitendra Dev, Mahendra Yadav, Gopal Thakur and dozens of other leaders have defected the UML and have either formed their own party or have joined other political forces, especially the UCPN (Maoist).