Maoists split splinter group ahead of election for PM (DEVELOPING STORY)

Kathmandu, 6 Aug.: Amid charges of Maoist attempts purchase votes and o split the party ‘apolitically’, four of five legislators of CPN (ML) said they will vote for Maoist Chairman Prachanda in Friday’s runoff vote for prime minister.
CPN (ML) Chairman CP Mainali made the direct charge Friday hours before elections in parliament.
The CPN (ML) had decided to stay neutral in the vote calling for a consensus government like the dominant communist group UML.
Politburo member Jagat Bahadur Bogati defected to form the CPN (ML Samajbadi) which has been registered with parliament hours ahead of the election.
‘There was no deep political reason’ for the last-minute defection, Mainali said.
Mainali charged Maoists for ‘attempting to split the party’.
Meanwhile, a front of four Madesh parties is meeting to decide how to approach the runoff election which again is expected to be inconclusive.
Eleven members of the MJFN crossed the floor and voted for Maoists in another inconclusive runoff election this week even as the front decided to stay neutral.
Maoists Thursday attempted to split the MJFL as well Thursday.
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