What is the reason for your protesting the party decision to support Jhalanath Khanal and writing a note of dissent?
The standing committee meeting of our party had decided either to form the government under the leadership of our party or to stay in opposition if a government under our leadership was not possible. We thought that decision was right. [break]
There were rumors in the market that our party chairman was going to contest the election as a dummy candidate and throw his support behind Jhalanath Khanal. Constituent Assembly members had questioned the chairman in this regard during the party’s parliamentary party meeting two days ago. He [chairman] had replied to the members at the meeting saying, “I am contesting to win and we are winning. Otherwise we will stay in the opposition. We will not leave the field to others”.
Accordingly, we fielded his candidacy. But he all of a sudden said he would not contest. That was a bit dramatic. It will not be in the interest of the party. Only a government led by the largest party and participated by others can drive the peace process to a conclusion and complete the constitution writing.
His [Dahal’s] sudden change of decision is not natural. Here is a procedural question – why was the decision changed overnight?
Secondly, joining the government with the CPN-UML will neither ensure the conclusion of the peace process nor provide a basis for us to protest [if the peace process is not completed]. While remaining in the government we cannot protest over matters about which we have disagreements. We will be in a situation of being ineffective in government and not being able to launch protests in the streets. Joining a government led by a party with which we compete on the ground will neither help the party build its organization.
The way the largest party has joined the government will demoralize party cadres and bring frustration among them. That is why we protested the party decision. But we acted as per the party decision despite our different opinion since it is the practice of a communist party to follow the party decision taken by a majority.
If he did not want to contest he could have forwarded the name of another to stake claim to the leadership of the government by virtue of your being the largest party. Why did he not opt for that?
He should know. He said he would contest. We also urged him to do so and nominated him accordingly. But the next day he said he would not contest and proposed to vote for others. We found his decision unnatural.
What were the reasons for his changing his mind at the eleventh hour?
He has already spoken in the house about why he changed his mind. He said he did not sleep that night [the night of his nomination as candidate]. He said in parliament that he did not like to be defeated repeatedly, as he had told us. He wept [at the meeting of the standing committee ahead of the parliament meeting] over this matter. He decided to contest the PM race on Wednesday but suddenly withdrew the next day. The secrecy behind such an unexpected decision has yet to be unraveled.
Why did you say that this coalition led by the CPN-UML will not be able to complete the peace process and constitution writing?
The Special Committee cannot take unilateral decisions as its working procedures require consensus for any decision. If all the parties represented in the Committee do not agree on peace process-related issues, the process cannot be moved ahead. Now since the NC and Madhes-based parties are likely to be in opposition, they may obstruct things due to which the Committee might not be able to take decisions necessary to make the peace process move ahead.
So the present coalition will not make any fundamental difference in the current status of the peace process and constitution writing?
The way the present coalition has been formed has raised the danger of the peace process becoming obstructed. We could have cooperated in building consensus while remaining in the opposition. But this could not materialize due to the dramatic decision.
As you know, two-third majority support is required for constitution writing. Unless there is a government capable of securing such support, constitution writing is not going to be possible. We argued [at the standing committee meeting] that with formation of a majority government there was less possibility of concluding the peace process and writing the constitution.
Why do you think your chairman did not decide to support Khanal at the initial stage and block other leaders of your party from aspiring to contest the election?
It is a question that only he can answer. But the way he decided to file nomination one day and withdrew the next day has left room for suspicion. There is no convincing reason why he left the field. But as of now there is nothing to bear out the suspicion.
What will be your role now?
I will accomplish the role given by the party. But I will not participate in the government. I will work for peace and constitution writing.
Will the leaders who support you participate in the government?
We are not interested but the party will decide.
You have registered three notes of dissent following the Palungtar plenum. Where will these steps take the party?
It will take the party in a right direction. It is natural to have discussions and debate in a lively party. Dissenting opinions make the party strong.
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