CPN (Maoist Center) concludes its convention by selecting 236 CC members

The CPN (Maoist Center) has concluded its 8th General Convention selecting 236 Central Committee(CC) members.

The closed session of the party endorsed the names proposed by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. The size of CC is 299 and Prachanda will nominate the rest of the CC members.

The Central Committee will select the party’s 15-member office bearer on Monday. A week-long convention of the party endorsed a political document tabled by Prachanda. 

Santosh Shah wins MasterChef: The Professionals Rematch

Santosh Shah was crowned winner of BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals Rematch special in scenes that aired tonight after he lost out on the title in 2020. 

The 34-year-old chef, who was dubbed the ‘people’s champion’ in last year’s series, wowed judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti, and Gregg Wallace with his Nepalese cuisine, according to the news report.

Santosh stepped back into the kitchen along with fellow finalists Philli Armitage-Mattin and Bart van der Lee, who appeared on last year’s series, and Jamie Park, who reached the final in 2017.

Speaking to media he said, “I was so delighted to be invited back into the MasterChef kitchen to cook again, and had so much fun being reunited with Bart, Philli, and Jamie from the 2017 series.” 

MCC endorsement only after amendments, says Prachanda

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has said that America’s grant under Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC) could be endorsed by Parliament only after amending some clauses.

In a political document presented in the party's 8th General Convention that began on December 26, Prachanda has said that it cannot be endorsed without amendment. According to a member, Prachanda told his party cadres that MCC would be amended to serve the national interest.

The ruling coalition is sharply divided over MCC. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Maoist convention, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba defended MCC stating that there are not any provisions that would hurt national interests. Parties plan to table MCC in Parliament after the Maoist party concludes its convention. The Maoist jamboree, however, is likely to endorse Prachanda’s position on MCC. America, however, said that the MCC compact cannot be amended. 

8th General Convention of Maoist party commences

The 8th General Convention of CPN (Maoist Center) has begun in Kathmandu, on December 26. The four-day convention will conclude by electing new leadership.

Top leaders of major parties including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba were invited as guests of the inaugural session of the convention. Addressing the inaugural session of the Maoist convention, Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Deuba said the American grant Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is in national interests so it should be endorsed by Parliament. CPN (Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal is likely to be re-elected as party chair from the convention. 

Speaking at the inaugural session, CPN(Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda convention will take measures to revive the strength of the party. 

The Standing Committee of the party has proposed a 15-member office-bearer which is likely to be endorsed by convention. This is the first time the Maoist Centre has provisioned senior vice-chair and general secretary posts.As many as 1,631 delegates are attending the convention.