Despite criticisms about the ineffectiveness of the ever-expanding party bodies, the ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) has decided to form a 3999-strong General Convention Organising Committee and a 399-member politburo.

Citing scathing criticisms of the mess in the party organisation, some Maoist leaders had suggested making the committees workable even if “we are to be demoted”.

Tuesday’s meeting also finalised the 33-member headquarters but made the 99-member party secretariat non-functional.

With 10 Maoist factions uniting to form the Maoist Centre, the party leadership has been facing difficulties managing the party committees because a large number of leaders and cadres from each constituent were vying for better positions in the new entity.

The politburo meeting that concluded on Tuesday decided to train cadres in the seven provinces for taking messages of the recent political developments and the party’s decisions down to the lower level in view of the upcoming elections. The party also made minor changes in the responsibilities of those in charge of the provinces and the coordinators. At the meeting, party Chair and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said “regressive and rightist forces” were trying to reverse the latest political achievements and the party’s main responsibility would be to defeat them.

Leader Mani Thapa said the politburo decided to fight for the administrative access of the people in Province 5 by addressing their concerns, to resolve the concerns of the Madhesis, Janajatis and the Tharus through an amendment to the constitution and focus on endorsing the constitution amendment proposal registered by the government.

The meeting also decided to launch a three-month grassroots campaign ahead of the local elections. The district conventions of the party would be held by mid-March.