A serious dispute has emerged between the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) after a leader from the ruling UML accused the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly of involvement of its leaders’ in deadly Kailali violence last week.

In an interaction with reporters on Sunday, UML spokesperson Yogesh Bhattarai said Maoist leaders Barsha Man Pun and Janardan Sharma were involved in the planning of Kailali incident where eight security personnel, including SSP Laxman Neupane, and a two-year-old child were killed.

“Kailali incident took place as per the plan of Maoist leaders Barsha Man Pun and Janardan Sharma together with other criminal groups,” Bhattarai told reporters.

Immediately after online news portals ran the news citing Bhattarai’s remarks, the Maoists leaders made phone calls to senior UML leaders, including party Chairman KP Sharma Oli, General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, and demanded them to establish their involvement. Sharma himself had held conversation with UML chief Oli and General Secretary Pokharel and sought explanation from Bhattarai.

Bhattarai, who is also the UML spokesperson, did not return phone calls from Maoist leaders.

Irked by Bhattarai’s remarks, Sharma and Pun were about to hold a press conference to seek ‘public apology’ from Bhattarai. The duo changed their minds after UML Deputy General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal assured them that he would ask Bhattarai to clarify about his remarks.

Bhattarai later called Sharma and offer his apology. “I have not bluntly spoken in this line. I am sorry for hurting your feelings and sentiments,” Bhattarai is said to have told Sharma.

Chairman Oli and General Secretary Pokharel asked the Maoist leaders not to take it seriously, clarifying that it was not party’s official position. “Conspiracies are being hatched to spoil relations between the major parties. It should not be taken seriously,” Oli said.