Dahal proposes military commission 'to prepare for revolt'

KATHMANDU, Jan 3: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed formation of a military commission in his party in an apparent move to please the party hardliners led by senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya, who has been demanding a concrete plan of action from Dahal for implementation of the new tactical line of launching a revolt.



A reliable source informed Republica that Dahal floated the proposal during the ongoing meeting of the party´s standing committee on Sunday. [break]



“The commission will be responsible for developing revolutionary ideology and military policies,” said the source, adding that the details are yet to be finalized.

Dahal has been proposed as the head of the commission. But the discussion on the size of the proposed body is underway.



The source said the military commission would be entrusted with the responsibility to make preparatory arrangements for implementation of the new tactical line of revolt. Ending a long-running debate over the future course of its political ideology, the largest party recently opted for a political line to launch revolt, if the task of writing the constitution and concluding the peace process are obstructed.



A leader close to Baidya said Dahal proposed formation of the commission to uphold the spirit of the recently held Palungtar plenum. While siding with Chairman Dahal to pass the new political line from the central committee, Baidya had said that his camp would closely watch Dahal´s commitment to translate the new political line into practice. The Baidya camp had sought a plan of action from the party leadership for implementation of the new political line.



Though the issue of forming such a commission was discussed time and again in the past, it had not materialized as the party leadership was reluctant to push for such a commission. This had led the Baidya camp to question Dahal´s commitment to go for a revolt. Baidya, in his political paper presented at the Palungtar plenum, had also proposed formation of the commission and restructuring of the PLA general staff.



Meanwhile, the standing committee has received a proposal for reshuffling of party´s state committee in-charges and secretaries. The meeting also discussed responsibilities to be given to office-bearers and standing committee members, politburo members and central committee members.



The standing committee has also demanded that the government return the vehicle of its politburo member Khadga Bahadur BK, who has been facing the charge of having used a stolen four-wheeler. The police seized the vehicle of BK last Thursday.



Maoist Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said, “The vehicle belongs to the party and we have proof.” Sharma also produced a letter from the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction that had recommended the concerned government body to permit BK to change the vehicle´s registration number.

BK said that his vehicle was seized under an “India designed plan”.



The standing committee also proposed to have more politburo members from the Madhes. At present Bishwanath Sah is the only politburo member. The proposal has been floated upon realization that that the party in Madhes has weakened.



UCPN-M to move to SC over UNMIN term



The standing committee has decided to move the Supreme Court seeking its intervention for the extension of the term of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).



“The Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Agreement on the Management of Monitoring of Arms and Armies are part of the constitution. And if the UNMIN´s term is not extended, it means the constitution is violated,” standing committee member Lila Mani Pokharel said, “We are holding consultations with legal advisors to file a writ petition in this regard.”


Action against Bhattarai dropped



UCPN (Maoist) has decided to take Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai´s dissenting views to lower level of the party for discussion. However, the party is yet to finalize the procedure for such a discussion.



Dahal camp had been preparing to take disciplinary action against Bhattarai for bringing out party´s views in the media. But the Dahal camp has dropped the possible action against Bhattarai.



“The decision means the controversy is over. It is not good to have disputes always,” said a leader close to Bhattarai.



Dahal, speaking at a tea party hosted by Maoist-aligned student wing, ANNISU-R on Sunday, said the decision aimed at forging unity in the party.



“Today´s meeting has taken our unity to a new height,” Dahal said, refuting media reports about his preparations to take disciplinary action against Bhattarai.

Related story

Elections after the Gen Z Revolt: Old Parties, New Fears