Maoist leaders’ frequent use of terms such as “capturing power”, launching “another revolt” and establishing “people’s republic” have raised the eyebrows of ordinary Nepalis—all they want is peace, stability and democracy to take deep roots in Nepal and pave the way for economic prosperity. Also, there is no justification for Maoists’ acts of obstructing the construction works on 300 MW Upper Karnali Project, which was handed over to GMR Energy Consortium by the previous government of which Maoists were a part, especially when Nepalis are facing 11-hour daily power cuts. Equally frustrating are the acts of the Maoist-affiliated trade union that pressurized over two dozen restaurants to shut down in Kathmandu recently. All these compound people’s suspicion of Maoists’ intents.
However, two positive developments have injected optimism in the general public: Completion of the task of discharging disqualified People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel from the cantonments along with rehabilitation package in their hands and the toning down of Maoists’ stance at the launch of their fifth phase protest programs. They have claimed it only to be a publicity-oriented program with an aim to help conclude the ongoing peace process and draft the constitution on time. But suspicion arose in the minds of common people upon hearing the news that Maoists have plans to re-recruit the discharged soldiers to their paramilitary organization, the Young Communist League (YCL).
The Maoist party stands divided on various key issues. The hardliner faction led by Mohan Vaidya “Kiran” is of the view of immediately launching “people’s revolution” to achieve their “objective” while the faction led by Dr Baburam Bhattarai wants to consolidate achievements of the democratic movement by concluding the peace process and drafting the new constitution. Meanwhile, the party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal swings between these two extremes making people confused as to which side he belongs to. Sometimes he charges his colleague Bhattarai for being pro-India and sometimes alleges that it is Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who is acting as a puppet under the guidance of the southern neighbor. At a time when his party is launching a strong campaign against India at border points on the pretext of preserving national independence, Dahal gave an interview in which he stated that Nepal and India enjoy a unique “bread-and-butter” relationship. Chairman Dahal surely knows the art of keeping people confused, curious and in the dark.
Why do Maoists need military and paramilitary organizations if they are really committed to peaceful politics and multiparty democracy?
Dahal’s frequent visit to Hong Kong to train cadres in the communist country also raises suspicion among the politically-conscious people of the country. Is it necessary for a Nepali communist leader to visit the motherland of Mao Tse Tung to give ideological lessons to party cadres? The matter seems equally ridiculous even to those who have little knowledge of politics.
People are yet to understand the real motive of Maoists, who continue to attach importance to arms rather than ideology and principle. Why do Maoists need military and paramilitary organizations if they are really committed to peaceful politics and multiparty democracy? Prime Minister’s allegation seems natural at a time when top Maoist leaders like Vaidya time and again reiterate that they don’t want to hand over arms to the government nor integrate their PLA combatants before the new constitution is drafted. The other day Vaidya said that they are still suspicious about drafting a pro-people constitution and they want to keep their military organizations for another revolution if a pro-people constitution is not drafted.
It is true that Maoists have more than one third seats in the 601-member Constituent Assembly (CA) and their voice cannot be ignored by other political parties. But being the largest party does not mean they can lord over other smaller parties. Nepali people participated in the People’s Movement part II not to replace one dictator (King) with another. They didn’t vote for Maoists in the CA elections for establishing a communist dictatorship. People want freedom, human rights, a multiparty political system and a democratic government. The Maoist strategy to influence the constitution-making process through their military and paramilitary organizations cannot be accepted at any cost. If they have faith in people, they must give up arms and immediately dissolve their paramilitary organizations. Maoists’ strategy to integrate their combatants en masse in Nepal Army is also objectionable at this moment.
The Maoists must change their attitude that they have won the “People’s War” and so other political parties must accept whatever they dictate, which is absurd. They should come to the politics of compromise, collaboration and coexistence if they are really serious about their commitment to democracy, competitiveness and establishing people’s rule. It is equally wrong to influence people’s ideology through the use of money and to coerce them into doing things with the help of gun power. Therefore, integration of Maoist combatants should only be a symbolic act instead of taking them in en masse to avoid apolitical NA soldiers being influenced by indoctrinated Maoist cadres.
It is time Maoists clarify whether the Prime Minister’s allegations are baseless or factual. If they are really serious about the peace process then why are they delaying the process of integration and rehabilitation of the combatants by avoiding the meetings of the Army Integration Special Committee? Why are they hesitant to dissolve their paramilitary organizations and what is the motive behind holding onto seized land and property? Are they willing to show financial records of the cantonment to the parliament and/or other responsible body to prove that they have not misappropriated funds donated by international donors and the government for the PLA’s upkeep during the transition period?
sirish27@yahoo.com
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