Prachanda, Bhattarai factions clash in Nepal

Factionalism within ruling Maoists in Nepal erupted on Friday afternoon when workers belonging to separate factions came to near clash and 'targeted' leaders during the ongoing plenum.

Updated on: Jul 21, 2012, 01:39:59 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Factionalism within ruling Maoists in Nepal erupted on Friday afternoon when workers belonging to separate factions came to near clash and 'targeted' leaders during the ongoing plenum.

Workers close to Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai targeted both leaders. However, they escaped unhurt and were escorted by security officials.

According to reports, tempers arose when workers close to Prachanda opposed after a leader from the Bhattarai faction was allowed to address the gathering.

As an upset Bhattarai tried to leave the venue, leaders from the Prachanda faction preventted him. Some irate workers also allegedly threw a chair at Prachanda, but it didn't hit him.

After both leaders exited the venue, the plenum resumed with leaders deciding to allow all factions to have their say.

Though leaders confirmed the 'clash', some senior leaders denied any physical altercation while admitting there was difference among some workers.

The seventh plenum of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the faction that split last month, has been witnessing problems over distribution of funds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.