Kathmandu : CPN (UML) has relieved three leaders including former Vice Chairman Bhim Rawal of their responsibilities for their critical statements regarding the land donation received for the construction of the central party office.

A meeting of the party secretariat held on Wednesday removed Bhim Rawal from the party, revoking his membershi, and suspended Standing Committee member Binda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timsena for six months, informed Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali.

“We had sought clarifications from three leaders in connection with their views on the land donation for the central party office,” said Gyawali, “They furnished their clarifications but they did not realize that their statements were against the interest of the party,” said Gyawali, “Hence, they have been relieved of the party responsibilities.”

According to Gyawali, Rawal has been removed from party and his membership terminated. He was earlier appointed as a member of the UML Central Advisory Council. However, Rawal had not accepted this post. Hence, he has been dismissed from the party and his his membership revoked.

A UML Secretariat meeting convened on October 20 had decided to seek clarifications from them.

Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had laid a foundation stone on a 10 ropanis and 14 anas plot of land at Kirtipur Municipality-2, Maitrinagar for the construction of the central party office building on October 11. The land was donated by Bhatbhateni Supermarket owner Min Bahadur Gurung.

This land donation issue has drawn flaks from the party leaders. UML Standing Committee member Binda Pandey had flayed the UML’s decision stating that it did not only lower the dignity of 500,000 party cadres but also undermined the mandate of the 2.8 million voters.