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VOL. 27, NO. 32, April 25, 2008 (Baishakh 13 2065 B.S.) |
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"We Support The Right To Self Determination In Kashmir and Tibet Also”
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
Senior leader of CPN-Maoist Dr. BABURAM BHATTARAI is also known as an architect of Maoist insurgency in Nepal. Dr. Bhattarai has major influence in the Maoist party. At a time when CPN-Maoist has emerged as the single largest party, Dr. Bhattarai spoke about his party's strategy at length to Sajha Sawal program of BBC World Trust and BBC Nepali Service. He also addressed queries from some members of the audience at the interview program held last week at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) hall. Excerpts of his interview:
You have said that you will accept demand of federal state with the right to self determination in Nepal. People are raising similar demands of right to self determination in Kashmir, North-east Indian states and Tibet. What will be your position on these demands?
We support the demands of right of self determination of people of Kashmir, Assam, and north east states of India and Tibet also. We will support these kinds of demands raised in any part of the world including in America and Latin American states and Africa. This is our ideological belief. Every one should get it.
You used to say that MJF is a King's party and party backed by fundamentalist Hindus. Have you changed your stand now?
There are still such forces but we want to work together with them now as people have chosen them as a legitimate political party.
But they have been demanding separate Madhes state with a right to self determination. How do you look at it?
Making a single geographical sate is a different thing. But, each state should get the right to self determination
How about your education policy? Will you continue to allow private sector's investment in education?
The disparities are growing in education sector between private schools and government schools. We want to give free education to all up to 10 plus 2 and there is no need of private sector investment up to higher secondary level. It is the government's responsibility to provide education to all up to 12 class. We will encourage private sector in higher education.
(A query by an audience) - I was badly beaten by Maoist cadres. From the candidates to common people, YCL is attacking everyone. What is this all about?
We need not forget that 15 YCL cadres were killed in last one and a half month. It is also equally true that there are some incidents of high-handedness by YCL. We do regret over such incidents.
Maoists are yet to return the properties confiscated during the decade long insurgency. Such activities are still continuing. How do you look at it?
We need to take actions against those who still do these kinds of things. During the decade long people's war, we confiscated the properties of few people, not all the people. It is true that properties were confiscated. We need to give justice to them.
At a time when you have been taking about the formation of government on the basis of consensus, you are also imposing your party's program on such government. Is it new government's New Nepal consensus?
In accordance with the mandate of the people, we have the right to place our programs before the people. There is nothing wrong in it. Even within this mandate of the people, we want consensus. Our aim is not to impose our program.
Baburamji, you have already projected Prachandaji as a future president. Are you future prime minister?
The party is yet to decide it. The party will take decision on individuals based on his capacity, and need. We are ready to play any role as demanded by the party. I cannot say right now who is going to be prime minister and president now as the party will take decision on that. So far as Prachanda's role is concerned, our party chairman Prachanda is going to be the first president of Nepal.
After removal of the King, there may require president for the interim period. As your party has proposed a powerful president, how do you see the possibility of proposing Girija Prasad Koirala as an interim president?
We have not decided yet about Koirala. Our party's wish is to make our party president Prachanda as the first president. For this, we will try to develop consensus on who is going to be president for the interim period. On the basis of political consultation, the decision will be taken on that. Our efforts will be to make our party president Prachanda as the first president of Nepal.
Despite taking actions against ministers and executing them on corruption charges, there are still incidents of corruption in China, the country of Mao, which your party regards as a model. How do you say that taking stern action will reduce the level of corruption?
It is a commendable job to give death penalty to corrupt people. You cannot say otherwise.
My question is even with such harsh punishment; the corruption continues to be there. How do we believe that you will contain corruption?
You are taking actions to control the corruption.
Will you also introduce the law to give death penalty to corrupt people?
I don't want to talk on death penalty. We will introduce stern actions against those corrupt people so that nobody will dare continue it.
You have said that the per capita income of the country will be increased to US$ 3000 in ten years?
Yes. If you want to make Nepal as a developed country in 30 years period, you must turn Nepal into a middle income level country within 10 years. In 20 years, we want to make Nepal a developed country and highly developed country in 40 years. That is our commitment.
Is it said that to increase the per capita income to US$ 3000 in ten years, you need to have growth rate of 27 percent per year. Is it possible?
It is definitely possible. There is nothing impossible. If we have inner guts and identification of real program, it is absolutely possible. For this we need to use forest, water, herbals and manpower. We believe that it is possible.
Do you have any example where any country has achieved such growth in shortest period of time?
There were countries like Soviet Union. After the revolution in Soviet Union, it achieved such kinds of growth. In the 30 years period, they had made such a tremendous achievement. They had achieved not only 37 percent growth per year but some time they achieved even 50 percent growth. There is even 100 percent growth in some years.
Economists have said if Maoists achieve the growth rate of 30 percent a year, they should be immediately rewarded with the Nobel Prize. It means you will certainly receive Nobel Prize now?
Nobel Prize is a different matter. We know what kinds of people receive the Nobel prize. Whether I get Nobel Prize or not, I think these kinds of GDP growth is possible and it must be achieved. For this all Nepalese need to be united.
It is said that the foreign aid will be suspended, and foreign investors will go back. The recent crash in the share market is another example how people are losing their faith. How do you look at it?
It is an incorrect rumor that the foreign aid will be suspended after Maoists come to power. The reality is that all of the diplomatic community wants to continue to support even if Maoists come to power. So far as the crash of share market is concerned, it is also wrong. In a political situation like present one, there are always ups and downs in share market.
When you are talking about foreign aid, you party chairman Prachanda had declared that win of Maoists will be the defeat of India and America. After winning the election, you have defeated India and America. But now you are saying that you will not term India as an expansionist and America as an imperialist power. Is it not that you have tricked the people?
This is not a question of tricking anyone. Finding consensus on non-negotiable things is what is Loktantra all about. Finding minimum understanding on wide range of differences is also applicable on international relations. Despite our differences with the governments of US and India, we want to continue our state-to-state diplomatic relations with them.
It means now you are in a process of appeasing India and USA?
It is not a question of appeasing anyone. This is a process of putting straight facts and things. We will point out our differences as well as our points of agreements.
You used to say that India is an expansionist and America is an imperialist power. Does your party still stick on that assertion?
We still stick to our stand but we want to build relations on the basis of points of agreements. We want to continue our relations with all the countries.
How will you remove the King from Narayanhity, if you want to remove the King?
The first meeting of Constituent Assembly will implement republic. This means the end of monarchy and King Gyanendra will leave Royal Palace. This is the mandate of people. We believe that the King will accept the mandate of people. We will create secure place for him.
Before the meeting?
If he leaves the country before the meeting that is better.
Who will stay in Narayanhity, then?
It should be converted into history/museum.
Are you taking about the King or monarchy?
I am talking about monarchy not about individual King.
