KATHMANDU, April 7: The CPN (Maoist Center) has appointed former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun as its vice chairman. Maoist Centre Secretary Dinanath Sharma said a recent meeting of the office bearers of the party nominated Pun to the post.
Pun, who previously served as a Deputy Prime Minister, had been actively participating in Maoist party meetings for some time. Prior to his new role, the party had entrusted him with a special responsibility as the in-charge of the Economic Production Mechanism.
Critics believe that Pun, a confidant of Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, was given an active role to consolidate Dahal’s power amid growing calls within the party for the long-time chairman to step down and give new leaders a chance.