General secretary of the CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal (File Photo)

General secretary of the CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal (File Photo)
CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda and general secretary of the CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal met in Kathmandu Sunday morning and discussed the growing dispute over the army’s reaction to Prachanda’s June 16 statement.
A source close to UML general secretary Nepal told Nepalnews that the meeting, which started at around 9:00 a.m., took place “at a place in Kathmandu”. Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattrai was with Prachanda during the meeting.

The meeting was focussed on current issues including the debate over reaction of the Nepali Army (NA) to Prachanda’s statement that has triggered debate within and outside the seven-party alliance, the UML source said without giving the details of the meeting.

Chairman of CPN (Maoist) Prachanda (File photo)
Prachanda and Dr Bhattrai arrived in Kathmandu Saturday evening after a series of training programs to Maoist cadres in the far-western districts. They are expected to hold discussions with other leaders of the SPA.

The NA in a statement brushed aside Prachanda’s comment that it had not done anything worthwhile other than “murdering Nepali people and raping Nepali women” after Sugauli Treaty.

“Nepali Army has—behind it—a history of over 225 years old culture of glorious nationalism, protection of territorial integrity and selfless sacrifice for people’s security. Nepal’s history is testimony to the fact that from the past to the present, the NA has always remained committed to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity of the people under the direct command of the prevailing constitutional government,” the NA statement said.

While the NA’s statement has invited sharp criticism from with the SPA and the Maoist leadership Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli has gone on record to defend the NA’s statement saying that Prachanda’s comment could have negative impact on the ongoing talks.