Shrestha expresses dissatisfaction over formation of Foreign Affairs Department

KATHMANDU: CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha has expressed his dissatisfaction over the formation of Foreign Affairs Department of the party.

Shrestha expressed his discontent after the party decided to form a 31-member Foreign Affairs Department.

Saying that the department has not been formed yet, he urged everyone not to believe in fake news being spread on social media.

“The news that the CPN (Maoist Centre) has formed the Foreign Affairs Department and various people have also been appointed is completely untrue,” Shrestha said on Twitter, adding,”The party has not formed the Foreign Affairs Department yet. He urged all and sundry not to believe in fake news.”

A source close to the Maoist Centre Office, however, said that the party has already prepared a list of members to be appointed in the department. The names of former Chief Secretary Lila Mani Paudel and former ambassador Mahesh Maskey are in the list.

The official decision will be made public after holding a discussion with the leaders in the Standing Committee meeting.

The Standing Committee meeting of the party held on August 14 and 15 on the recommendation of the Central Committee of the party had decided to appoint Ram Karki as the Chief of the Foreign Affairs Department.

Shrestha, however, was dissatisfied with the decision. Shrestha, who was removed from the post of party spokesperson, was expressing his willingness to lead the Foreign Affairs Department.

A Standing Committee member of the Maoist Centre said that Shrestha’s dissatisfaction will be addressed by holding a Standing Committee meeting.

Apart from the Foreign Affairs Department, Karki has also got the responsibility to lead Province 1 from his party.