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VOL. 27, NO. 28, March 21, 2008 (Chaitra 08 2064 B.S.) |
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“There is a systematic conspiracy to defame CPN-Maoist workers” -Prachanda
CPN-Maoist chairman PUSHPA KAMAL DAHAL aka Prachanda has been visiting his own constituency in Rolpa district addressing various mass meeting. Maoist leader Prachanda addresses various mass meeting in Rolpa and Dang district: Excerpts
On forthcoming elections for Constituent Assembly?
There are still may challenges before us and it is impossible to hold the elections in normal way.
On present political situation
Major political parties which took part in the parliamentary politics in the last twelve years are responsible for the present political mess. In the name of so called constitutional monarchy, parliamentary parties encourage feudalism, anarchy and corruption.
On violent activities of Yong Communist League
Our party workers are peacefully participating in the elections campaign and CPN-UML and NC are disseminating wrong information about YCL and its cadres. Our party workers have not attacked any one till now. Nepali Congress and CPN-UML workers have been violating the code of conduct by attacking our workers.
On the recent physical assaults
The incidents of these places were publicized to create hostile atmosphere against CPN-Maoist. Our workers are peaceful and they have not barred any body from visiting their constituencies.
On Maoist position in CA
Our party will win the majority in the coming elections. Since CA is and republican is our agenda, people will vote our candidates in Constituent Assembly to write a republican constitution for New Nepal. The CA polls would be held under any circumstance and the seven parties faced many challenges in this regard. Maoists would work together with 'nationalists' and republican forces for the CA polls.
On left unity and alliance in the elections?
We have made every effort for left unity. However, CPN-UML rejected our proposal under the pressure from United States of America. We want to be more flexible and reasonable in seat adjustments.
On Nepali Congress and CPN-UML
Along with CPN-UML, Nepali Congress some monarchist are doing conspiracy to keep ceremonial monarchy in the country. I have made all efforts to convince political parties to contest elections jointly with a single party manifesto.
Conspiracy by monarchist
Monarchist are still doing conspiracy against the CA poll. I have received information about a conspiracy to assassinate political leaders to disrupt the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) polls. Various groups who were behind the attacks on political leaders and cadres in Terai have entered the capital with a similar motive to assassinate politician leaders and cadres. If monarchist conspire against the CA, it will benefit to people and monarchist will have to pay price.
On Response of People
People want to see the new Nepal under the leadership of Maoist party. No one can defeat us in the coming future. Wherever I visited, people gave me warm response.
On announcement of President of New Nepal
We are very clear that there will be republic Nepal after elections. So, our party has announced me as a candidate of president for New Nepal. We have already made it clear that we want president directly elected from people.
On Anti-CA poll
All activities aimed at disrupting the CA polls would be foiled. In the coming days "there could be some important political assassinations. I don't think the assassination would fulfill their objective. However, it'll accelerate the destruction of feudalism and victory of the Nepali people and create a favorable environment for the conduction of the Constituent Assembly elections.
“If Our Voters Will Be Allowed To Go To Polling Booth, Our Party Will Secure Majority”
Govinda Raj Joshi
GOVINDA RAJ JOSHI, central committee member of Nepali Congress, is a candidate of constituency no 1 of Tanahu district. Joshi is now in his constituency in a door to door candidate. Joshi spoke to SPOTLLIGHT on overall election situation in the country. Excerpts:
As your party has moved from monarchist to republican, how do you compete with other two major communist parties with similar slogans?
Whatever the political stand may be, Nepali Congress is still regarded as a centrist party with democratic credentials. For the voters of Nepali Congress, they don’t have other alternatives as they cannot vote for communists.
Do you think Nepali Congress will secure majority?
If our voters will be allowed to go to polling booth, our party will secure majority. But, the question remains: whether the Maoists will allow them to go or not.
Do you mean Maoists are still creating hurdles in your constituency threatening voters not to vote other parties?
Maoist cadres are roaming in villages threatening Congress supporters not to attend the mass meetings and campaigns. They are threatening our followers not to give us shelter in their houses.
If that is the situation, how have you been campaigning?
Being a politician having experience of more than 35 years in Congress politics, I cannot give up my stand. Despite facing all kinds of difficulties, I have been visiting the villages and visiting from house to house.
Have Maoists disrupted your election programs?
As I have a strong support base in my constituency, Maoists are unable to disrupt them. If they had strong support, they would not have allowed me to go to village.
How about the safety of candidates?
Although the government provides some police security to candidates, I have to manage my security on my own.
What is your impression about the election campaign?
The election campaign is in full swing. Candidates are in door to door campaign. We don’t have any difficulty with CPN-UML but Maoists are creating problems for all of us.
How do you see overall situation of Maoists in your district?
Maoists are not so popular. People are still afraid of their past. Despite signing peace agreements, they are still extorting money and threatening local people.
What about te election code of conduct?
To be very frank, Maoists are openly violating the election code of conduct.
Haven’t you complained to election commission?
All the political parties are complaining but there is no one to take action.
As a central leader of Nepali Congress and former home minister, how do you see overall popularity of your party?
I have already mentioned that our party’s popularity has not shrunk. If we can provide basic security to our voters, they will come to vote for us. The situation is similar in all the places.
Since your party leader is prime minister and your colleague is home minister, don’t you think there will be peaceful atmosphere?
They have verbally committed everything but the ground reality is still different.
Who is your competitor?
Our main competitor is still CPN-UML. Interestingly, Maoists are now coming to challenge the vote bank of communist. In communist slogan, Maoists are already ahead than CPN-UML.
How many VDCs have you visited?
I have already visited almost all of the 16 Village Development Committees in my constituency. I plan to visit the houses of my voters as much as possible. This is good opportunity to interact with the people
What is the basis of your confidence?
As you know, the election process has already moved ahead. There is no way out other than to complete it.
After watching closely the Maoist strategy from ground, what would be their response in case they lose?
In that case, Maoists will try to sabotage the election. Maoists will issue threat in villages just a day before the election. In that way they will make efforts to bar voters from coming to the booth.
It means your sympathizers will not retaliate the Maoist threat?
After visiting my constituency in the last one month, I have seen that gradually psychological terror has gone from voters but they are still afraid of the past atrocities committed against them by Maoists.
Even in the presence of international observers, can the Maoists dare do so?
Observers cannot reach remote parts of Nepal. If Maoists decide to apply that kind of pressure, they can certainly do that.
