Disturbing Dithering
Over a year after they joined the political mainstream, comrades seem to be having second thoughts on their strategy
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
As the calls for quitting the government and launching “people’s revolt” have increased at the ongoing plenum, the Maoist leadership is finding itself in a difficult quandary.
Having led the ‘revolutionary’ workers educated in hard-line communism through a decade-long people’s war and into the peace process ignited by the 12-point agreement reached in New Delhi, India in November 2005, Prachanda is now being asked to justify the “flexibilities demonstrated by the party in its current alliances with other political parties.”
In a move that could end up destroying the fragile peace process, large sections of Maoist party including representatives of its People's Liberation Army (PLA) have asked party leadership to quit the government and launch revolt. The Kathmandu Post quoted deputy commander of Maoists, Barshaman Pun, as saying that the PLA division commanders have expressed serious dissatisfaction with the government and the party, and urged the party leadership to immediately pull out of the government.
The seriousness of the demands raised by PLA members have increased as it comes in the wake of reports that groups of Maoist dissidents have started coalescing accusing the leadership of abandoning the revolution. “If the current attitude persists, this will mean abortion of revolution,” claimed Laxman Tharu aka Roshan, who is said to be the coordinator of CPN-Maoists - United Rebels Front. He had earlier defected from the Maoist party where he used to head the Tharu wing. Claiming that his group will continue the revolution, Tharu boasted in his talks with Kantipur TV that he has army strength of three battalion at his immediate disposal. Saying there are 4000 workers with him, Tharu added that PLA fighters in cantonments are also in his contact. “Most of the deserters have come into our contact,” he claimed. The front has given a month long ultimatum to the Maoists to walk out of the government.
The fifth expanded meeting (plenum) of the Maoists being held at Balaju Industrial Estate in Kathmandu has generated huge interest not only among the party workers but also other parties, civil society and international community as it comes close on the heels of recent central committee meeting where Prachanda had proposed to launch revolt or movement in case the republic is not announced immediately and fully proportional representation based election system not adopted before the Constituent Assembly elections.
During the plenum, team leaders of 45 different groups have been responding to the Prachanda’s political report. Most of them have stressed that CA election may not be possible and have advised their leaders to go for “people’s revolt.”
Held at the Balaju industrial estate, the plenum is participated by almost 2000 Maoist workers and leaders. Although the participants have called for struggle, they are still discussing whether to call it “people’s revolt.” Workers have advised to name it revolt. “People’s revolt is the higher form of people’s movement. The main thing is whether this revolt should be armed or peaceful. For now, most have called for peaceful revolt,” said one participant.
After listening to the party comrades about his report, Prachanda will respond to the issues they have raised and the plenum will formulate future strategy of the party. The fourth plenum held in India’s Haryana in 2055 B.S had decided to form “base areas” in their strongholds in some mid-western districts.
Earlier, Prachanda had clarified to the reporters that there has been no proposal to launch “people’s revolt.” “We have not decided to launch the revolt as has come out in the media,” said Prachanda. “Let everyone understand: we are very clear regarding (decision not to return to) armed revolt and (maintaining) ceasefire. The only decision we will be making (through the plenum) is whether to go for people’s movement or not,” Prachanda added.
Meanwhile, Prachanda’s problems seem to have increased as a member of his party resigned from his position as a minister without the party’s knowledge. Although he has refused to accept the resignation by Forest Minister Matrika Yadav, the latter has issued a statement that he will not withdraw his resignation.
On the other hand, leaders of other parties are worried with the developments within Maoist party. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said he is keenly awaiting the conclusions of the plenum.
Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel has already expressed dissatisfaction over Prachanda’s preconditions for the Constituent Assembly. Poudel criticized the Maoists for making demands that could ‘block the elections.’ He also reminded Prachanda about his signature in the earlier agreement regarding holding CA polls on mixed election system and deciding the fate of monarchy through the first meeting of elected CA. Likewise, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, too, has advised Maoists not to back-track from earlier understanding. He said such move could thwart the elections.
