Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his former ideologue Baburam Bhattarai shared the dais at an event in Kathmandu for one-and-a-half hours on Monday, in a rare move of togetherness since the latter quit the Maoist party to form the Naya Shakti Nepal 16 months ago.

Instead of speaking of any rivalry between the two former rebel leaders, PM Dahal heaved praise on Bhattarai, saying that the latter had made a premature move of deserting the party that the two had built together over 25 years. Dahal urged Bhattarai to reunite with him as their unity was the need of the hour, at a time when regressive forces were trying to derail the achievements of the Maoist revolution and the second People’s Movement.

Bhattarai responded that there was the possibility of unity between the two if Dahal transformed himself.

Former PM Bhattarai deserted the erstwhile Unified CPN-Maoist to announce a new political force after the promulgation of the new constitution arguing that the Maoist party had outlived its purpose.

Jointly launching a book called ‘Chacha-Bhakti Prasad Pandey ko Sangharsha Yatra’, written by journalist Sitaram Baral, the two leaders said their reunion was possible. The duo lauded the late Pandey’s daring nature and his selfless contribution to the society. Pandey died on November 13 from cancer.

Claiming that he knew Bhattarai more than anyone else, Dahal said his decision to abandon the Maoist party was not an ordinary event. He claimed that Bhattarai had taken the decision in haste when there was ample room for discussion about leading the nation together.

“Since both of us believed in science and not in any dogma, it is necessary to review our decision,” said Dahal. 

The PM stressed that it was time for all the Maoist forces to come together to safeguard the latest political gains. “If we are honest to what we did, there is no alternative but to stand united,” Dahal said, warning that the nation could veer off to anarchism which would cost the people heavily.

Bhattarai echoed Dahal’s opinion that the only way forward for them was to join forces to safeguard the political changes.