KATHMANDU: Former prime minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Jhalanath Khanal has left the party. Expressing deep dissatisfaction with the party leadership and its political direction, Khanal announced the launch of a new initiative called the ‘Socialist Awakening Campaign’ during a special gathering in Kathmandu on Monday.
Khanal stated that the party leadership has abandoned its revolutionary ideological and political path, leading to growing discontent among the party rank and file. The gathering reviewed the communist movement and passed a 15-point proposal. The group decided to unite divided leftist forces and build a unified communist party based on revolutionary principles.
The campaign plans to conduct open and principled ideological debates on socialism tailored to Nepal’s objective reality. It also intends to pressure the government to guarantee basic rights, including food, shelter, clothing, education, health, and employment. Furthermore, the gathering demanded the protection of national sovereignty, sustainable rehabilitation for victims of the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli floods, and the addressing of legitimate demands from youth and students.
Khanal clarified that the campaign is not intended to split the party at this stage. He described the initiative as a starting point to connect all honest leftist and revolutionary forces in the country and to reorganize the communist movement.
