Bhattarai’s Self-denial Of Polls A Political Ploy Or Sainthood?

Former prime minister Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai has given up to contest the upcoming elections for the federal parliament scheduled to be held in November. He has surrendered his Gorkha constituency to his former comrade-in-arms Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and become fully active to campaign in favour of the latter. This may have come as the startling news for many but for those who have closely followed it up and scrutinised his remarks, observations and statements made public during the recent days, he appeared to be in a state of dilemma for some time before he took this crucial decision. In the first extended meeting of Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP) that came into being following the split with Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajbadi Party almost six months ago, Dr. Bhattarai had hinted at it clearly that he was in the mood to pass the leadership baton on to the upcoming generations.