The top leaders of the party have agreed to conduct the party’s general convention within a year, a major demand of Bhattarai faction. The UCPN (Maoist) Central Committee (CC) meeting scheduled to begin on December 14 is expected to fix the date for the convention to settle the party’s both ideological and organisational disputes.

A series of talks among Dahal, Bhattarai and party Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha held in the recent days made such understanding, which will be tabled in the party’s CC for approval.

After the convention date has been announced, the party will initiate a debate about the nature of leadership and ideological line which will be finalised by the party’s convention. Bhattarai faction has not accepted the current set-up of the party’s office bearers, the standing committee and the politburo. According to Maoist leader Agni Prasad Sapkota, the CC is likely to take the decision about the removal of such structures and keep only the CC. The current CC will start the homework for holding the convention. The party had conducted its general convention in February this year, but it had failed to resolve the differences as Bhattarai walked out from the gathering, rejecting the structures formed by the Dahal faction.

Currently, Bhattarai does not hold any official position in the party because of his differences with Dahal. Leaders close to Bhattarai also lack responsibilities in the party.  

The CC meet will also take decisions about allocating the responsibilities to leaders from all factions. According to the agreement among the top leaders, Dahal will take the responsibility of shaping the party’s ideological position and Bhattarai will look after the organisational issues.

Maoist leaders said that there will also be discussions on developing the new leadership.

 Bhattarai is claiming the leadership of the UCPN (Maoist), but Dahal is not ready to hand over the mantle yet. Bhattarai has threatened to quit the party and form a new one if his demands are not addressed immediately.