Ansari quits CPN-UML

December 7, 2002
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Former Tourism Minister Salim Miya Ansari quit the CPN-UML Saturday, Radio Nepal said. Ansari made the announcement at a news conference in Birgunj.

Ansari is a former central committee member of Nepal’s largest communist party. “The royal move of October 4 has opened the door for a solution to the current problems in the country,” Ansari said.

Ansari is the third senior member of the party to revolt as it challenges King Gyanendra’s dismissal of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on October 4 by assuming executive powers after a breakdown of the constitutional process.

The party has threatened to launch a movement against the royal move. Kamal Cholagain first defected and immediately joined the government of Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand. Cholagain charged the party was taking a confrontational policy against the King.

Hiranya Lal Shrestha, another central committee member, also disassociated himself from the party amid charges the organization was discussing Nepal’s internal issues with foreigners.