MAOIST MEET TO PREVENT SPLIT Kathmandu, 3 June In an attempt to stop an impending split in the UCPN (Maois), Chairman Prachanda held discussions Sunday with members of the politburo, district in-charges and advisors. Moderate leaders Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shresths and politburo member Krishna Bahadur Mahara held extensive talks with dissident First Vice-chairman Mohan Baidhaya whose group has come out openly against the party establishment. Baidhaya supporters are demanding Prachanda’s resignation as a pre-condition for unity. MORE MADESHI AND JANAJATI LEADERS BOYCOTT UML CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET UPDATE Kathmandu, 3 June: Madeshi and janajati leaders Sunday boycotted a meeting of the UML central committee amid threats by the two groups to quit the party over the creation of ethnic states. Party leadership opposes creation of such provinces saying the move will disintegrate the country. General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel presented a report at the meeting where the outcome of Saturday’s politburo meeting was also presented. Saturday’s meeting discussed formation of a party commission to recommend measures to met Madeshi and jananati demands to keep party unity intact. MORE RULING COALITION MEETS SUNDAY EVENING Kathmandu, 3 June: Ruling coalition of Maoists and a Madeshbadi Morcha meets Sunday evening to review thecurrent situation after declaration one week ago of elections 22 November. Morcha has supported Maoists but 19 parties have decided to come out on thestreet to protest the move. MORE