Prachanda said he was sad to hear the decision of Matrika Yadav

The abruptly called gathering of the Mithila State Committee of the Unified CPN (Maoist) has begun at Lahan in Siraha district Thursday shortly after the Maoists decided to intensify party campaign in Terai districts.

Inaugurating the gathering of over 350 members, Prime Minister and chairman of the party Prachanda said he was sad to hear the decision of Matrika Yadav who decided to leave the unified party to reorganise CPN (Maoist). He said Yadav's decision was a mistake but would have no affect on party.

The decision of the party central secretariat to appoint Bishwo Nath Prasad Shah, a new entrant from CPN (Mashal), as the head of Mithila state committee had irked Yadav, who had resigned from the post some four months back due to disputes with his deputy Prabhu Shah.

The party denied journalists from entering the gathering. Security personnel deployed around the venue said even the security personnel were restricted to go in.

Bishwo Nath Prasad Shah told journalists afterwards that PM Prachanda has urged the party cadres to intensify campaign in Terai and that the party has planned new strategies for it.

He quoted PM Prachanda as saying that the current government is extremely serious towards addressing the grievances of Teraians. nepalnews.com ia Feb 19 09