KATHMANDU: The Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre) has revised the roles and responsibilities of its top leaders. In line with an inter-party directive, party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” retains oversight of both the ideological-political sphere and the school department. Senior Vice President Narayan Kaji Shrestha has been designated as the head of the international department, with Vice President Pampha Bhusal and Secretary Surendra Karki serving as his deputies.
Vice President Krishna Bahadur Mahara now manages state affairs, while Vice President Agni Prasad Sapkota is responsible for human resources and the social sector. Pampha Bhusal additionally has been tasked with the inclusivity and social justice portfolio.
General Secretary Dev Prasad Gurung was appointed coordinator for federal affairs, and Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun has been named head of economic affairs.
Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma has been assigned as the head of the organization department.
As Sharma influence within the party grows, party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has assigned Janardan Sharma the crucial role of heading the organization department. This portfolio is widely regarded as one of the most important in the Maosit party, and the move—made under a ‘gentleman’s agreement’—has helped ease recent intra-party conflicts.
High-level sources indicate that Prachanda plans to assign Sharma additional responsibilities in the coming weeks, as his clout within the party continues to increase. In recent student elections, Sharma’s panel secured significant victory from direct elections. Candidates from Sharma faction won most of the office bearer positions, apart from the chairman.
Tensions between Dahal and Sharma reportedly widened after Sharma submitted a written proposal calling for internal democratization, improved party building, leadership transfer, a special convention, and a more effective working style for the standing committee. The committee has since taken his recommendations, along with those of other party leaders, for discussion across all seven provinces.
At the most recent Central Committee meeting, President Dahal’s political report addressed many of the issues raised by Sharma, leading to a postponement of the ongoing intra-party ideological conflict.
Meanwhile, The Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre) is reviving its ethnic and regional fronts to reconnect with its traditional base. The party has named new leaders to head several fronts.
General Secretary Dev Gurung now oversees the front coordinating identity-related organizations. According to a party directive issued on Sunday, Deputy General Secretary Matrika Prasad Yadav is in charge of the Madhesi National Liberation Front, while Onasari Gharti leads the National Indigenous Federation.
Hakikullaha Khan heads the Muslim Liberation Front Nepal, and Parashuram Ramtel leads the Dalit National Liberation Front. Naresh Bhandari now leads the Karnali National Liberation Front, and Trilochan Bhatt is in charge of the Seti-Mahakali Liberation Front.
The Maoist Centre originally set up these ethnic and regional fronts during the people’s war, but they became inactive after the Constitution was adopted. The party now hopes the new appointments will revive these structures and strengthen its ties with traditional supporters.
