Kathmandu, Aug 12: After days of verbal sparring, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal have reached a gentleman’s agreement not to publicly attack each other.

The understanding was made during a discussion at the party’s central office in Aloknagar, attended by other leaders as well. “Party leaders should speak within the bounds of the party’s constitution and code of conduct. That’s what we agreed on,” senior leader Beduram Bhusal said.

The two former prime ministers had previously exchanged sharp remarks, with each telling the other to leave the party. Khanal had said in an interview that a four-year-old rebellion had not been proven, prompting Nepal to suggest he quit the party. In return, Khanal remarked that Madhav Nepal, who still talks about “people’s multi-party democracy,” would be better suited to the UML.

As such exchanges escalated, leaders Beduram Bhusal, Pramesh Hamal, senior vice-chair Rajendra Pandey, and general secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal facilitated talks between Nepal and Khanal.

“There was about a two-and-a-half-hour conversation yesterday (Monday). Much of it was spent revisiting old matters,” Beduram Bhusal said. “A concrete agreement hasn’t been reached yet, but discussions will continue.” Monday’s meeting started at 9 a.m. at the central office in Aloknagar.

A similar discussion had taken place on Saturday morning but was postponed as Madhav Nepal had to travel to Janakpur. In Monday’s meeting, Nepal urged Khanal to raise his concerns in party meetings rather than in interviews. “When we speak to the media, it makes matters worse. If you have something to say, bring it up in the party meeting,” Nepal said.

According to sources, Khanal agreed not to make public remarks, on the condition that his proposals be discussed in party meetings. “Since his proposals will be discussed in the meetings, Jhalanath Khanal also agreed not to speak publicly,” the source said.

Khanal had earlier proposed that Nepal step down as chair over a land misappropriation case related to Patanjali. Nepal has been unhappy with the proposal, which Khanal presented in a meeting in mid-July. Leaders said the matter will be discussed in the upcoming meeting.

The Unified Socialist has scheduled a secretariat meeting for August 15. “The understanding is that leaders will raise their points in the secretariat meeting, and stop giving interviews or public statements that accuse each other,” the source said.

People’s News Monitoring Service