CPN ML suffers split as party's four former lawmakers decide to back Maoists in PM election

CPN ML, a small leftist party, has suffered a split on the eve of the fourth round of election for a prime minister on Thursday.

Party politburo member Jagat Bahadur Bogati rebelled from the party and announced the formation a new party with the name CPN ML (Samajwadi) late Thursday.
Immediately after the formation of the party, Bogati has also announced that the new party will support Maoist chairman and prime ministerial candidate Pushpa Kamal Dahal in today's election.
Lawmakers Sharada Nepali, Tilak Thapa Magar, Yadubansha Jha and Ganesh Chaudhary comprise the core members of the new party, leaving CPN ML with only five lawmakers.
Issuing a statement in the name of the 21-member working committee of the party, they said they had to open a new party as CPN ML general secretary C.P Mainali gave little regard to the task of establishing peace and timely drafting of the constitution entrusted upon them by the people.