FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

By Mukti Rijal

SOON after the RPP convention held in Pokhara, the formidable CPN (UML) is also mulling over to hold its party congress. According to the news item published in this daily, the communist party is going to convene its congress early next year to elect its new leadership. The congress of the largest communist party attracts special attention and discussion due to several reasons. This is an occasion for the party functionaries to come open and discuss the issues in a more frank and unhindered manner. The congress unleashes contestation of ideas and views as the party workers and stakeholders feel the shackles of discipline loosened and relaxed should they speak against the official line.

Supreme Organ

The congress is the supreme organ and its decisions are paramount. The policies decided by the congress constitute the directives and fundamental norms for the party. It is to be noted that the congress of the Chinese Communist party held not very long back became an event of global importance because the party decisions have seminal impact in the making of the state policies. What course will China take in the time to come could be gauged from the resolutions the communist party adopted in the party congress held few months ago.

Similarly, the strategic course of CPN (UML) will be finally decided in the party congress which it is bound to follow until the next party congress is held. The last congress of the party was held in Nepalgunj and it was around five years ago. That was the very eventful time in the life of the communist party. The party had split as the senior leaders including the party lawmakers revolted against the line followed by the official leadership. The party split was actuated more by tactical issues than the strategic ones. Now the splinter group is united and the party has become one.
The CPN (UML) has traversed a long way since it was founded. The genesis of the party was motivated by ultra-leftist thoughts and ideas. However, the party deviated towards moderation and economism culminated by the espousal of the people's multiparty democracy (Bahudaliya Janabad). Late Madan Bhandari took the party towards the path of 'revisionism' marked by an acceptance of political pluralism and competition. It was a big turn a communist party can take and accept multiparty democracy as a means of social change and transformation. Even the reformist and moderate party like CPI and CPI (M) in India that have embraced and practiced parliamentary for fifty years have not completely abandoned Marxist tautology and phrasemongering. But the documents and mouthpieces issued on behalf of the Nepalese party are found shedding communist fervour and phraseology characterised by plain and liberal constructions.

CPN (UML) had been on the crossroads several times in the past. The party was at a very difficult situation especially when it was confronted with ideological challenges from the left. Which side to choose was its testing and difficult option. However, the party selected to stay moderate and follow the liberal and conformist way. There exists not much difference between the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) in broader terms except the name tag, efficient party bureaucracy, young leadership and committed functionaries.

The party is entrenched deep in the rural areas. The hold of the party in local government institutions like VDCs, municipalities and DDCs for the last five years gave it a boost to strengthen and consolidate further. The party wheel became more efficient as the party cadres benefited one way or the other through their association with local bodies. However, it is facing constraints and even losing out ground lately because it has become more closer what is said as to consumerism than to communism. The challenge from the Maoists is very strong and substantive.

It is at this backdrop that the party as reported is going to convene the congress. At a time when the country is mired in crisis and a plethora of issues have to be settled, the communist party will remain bogged down in tackling its internal issues and finalising the party agenda for the future. The party as reported will have a tough time to orchestrate a coherent view and outlook as in a party different views and perception are sure to arise and contest.

New Vigour

However, CPN (UML) has already drawn up its strategic vision which does not go beyond the multiparty democracy and constitutional governance. Within the broader ambit differences can be settled and leadership will have to toe the line accordingly. The RPP convention held in Pokhara did give the party a new leadership determined to protect democracy and constitutional monarchy. Similarly UML congress will give the party a new and renewed vigour.

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