In the one-on-one talks between Bhattarai and Yadav, the two agreed to go their separate ways by resolving disputes within the party.
KATHMANDU, July 1: At a time when the controversy of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) has reached its climax, a 'gentlemen's agreement' has been reached between chairman of the party’s Federal Council Baburam Bhattarai and chairman of the party’s executive committee Upendra Yadav. However, a day after the amicable agreement was reached, leaders close to Bhattarai and Yadav factions have come out with allegations. In such a situation, Chairman Yadav has called a meeting of the Central Committee in Birgunj on July 11 and 12.
On Wednesday evening, Bhattarai and Yadav had a one-on-one meeting. After the meeting, Yadav called an informal meeting of the parliamentary party. According to Mrigendra Singh Yadav, a member of the executive committee of the JSP and a member of the National Assembly, Yadav had said at the meeting that he had met Bhattarai. “He has proposed to leave in a cordial manner without abusing each other,” Mrigendra said.
Early setback for left alliance as Bhattarai decides to quit
Meanwhile, Bhattarai’s close associates Mahendra Yadav and Raj Kishor Yadav were not invited to the meeting. Amrita Agrahari, a leader close to Bhattarai, attended the meeting. "When it is time to leave, an agreement has been reached to do that in a cordial atmosphere without abusing each other. But it is a confirmation that the party would split right away,” said Damber Khatiwada, an executive member close to Bhattarai.
But Prashant Singh, another executive member close to Bhattarai, claimed that Bhattarai had not offered to split in a cordial manner. He said, "Exaggerated propaganda is being spread by Yadav." He accused Yadav of trying to bring the party to a confrontation. "It is the executive chairman who is trying to bring the party to a standstill. This is unfortunate," he said.
According to sources, at an informal meeting of the parliamentary party convened on Wednesday, Yadav was briefing on the talks between Bhattarai and himself. “He [Bhattarai] has proposed to separate in a cordial manner,” the source quoted Yadav as saying, “Even though we have decided to split, it would be done in a cordial manner.”
Bhattarai had publicly proposed to leave the party in a cordial manner in case of disagreement between Chairman Yadav and then Chairman Mahanta Thakur. Bhattarai had sided with Yadav in the dispute between Yadav and Thakur. In less than a year, the situation has changed.
Bhattarai, who was with Yadav at that time, is now trying to get rid of him himself. A leader close to Yadav said, "Both Bhattarai and Yadav have made up their minds to part ways. They cannot stay in the same party now." If Bhattarai had secured 40 percent in the Central Committee and the parliamentary party to split the party, this problem would not have arisen, but now it is difficult for Bhattarai's side to garner the 40 percent support.”
Similarly, another leader of Bhattarai's side said, "Before the local elections, we were in the majority. At that time we were not of separate thoughts. We thought that the party should not be allowed to split, but now they are trying to split the party.” According to sources, Istiyak Rai and Pradip Yadav who were on Bhattarai’s side have grown closer to Yadav. But Mahendra Yadav and Raj Kishor Yadav have not left Bhattarai yet.
Leaders of the Bhattarai faction claim that some MPs are sticking with Yadav due to their desire to become ministers. Another lawmaker close to Bhattarai said, "Until the election, Yadav was on the defensive but now he is aggressive. His behavior is now less likely to unite the party.” Another top leader, Ashok Rai, is nowhere to be seen in the dispute between Bhattarai and Yadav.
