We cannot think of any association with the UML

Chandra Prakash Mainali, popularly known as C.P., is a well known name in Nepalese politics. Considered one of the  pioneers of the communism movement in Nepal, Mainali surprisingly, was a top level science student in Kathmandu, before he joined the communist movement. A former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal, Mainali maintained his hold in the post 1990 united communist party, the CPN (UML). He was one of the major leaders to initiate the break-up of the largest communist party of the country. In spite of his defeat in the last General Election, he is much respected both within his party and also outside. He talked of the recent national convention of his party and the controversies surrounding it with The Independent on Monday. Excerpts of the talk given below:

Q. Is your party breaking up?

A. Our party’s main objective is to raise the feeling of patriotism to new heights. On the basis of democracy and Marxism and Leninism, the CPN-ML party targets to serve the nation and the people. We are targeting to end all sorts of inequalities found in our society. Our party is committed at fulfilling all its aims and objectives. While fulfilling its objectives, it is obvious that there will be debate and discussions among its leaders to sort out differences in their way of thinking and working style. All the speculations of the breaking up of our party is based on those debates and not on any serious rifts between its leaders. It is not appropriate to say that our party is breaking up of on those grounds. Only the people who do not understand the mechanism of a party can make such charges on those basis. In fact, I don’t see any possibility of breaking up of CPN-ML at all.

Q. What was all the controversy about, specially regarding the differences at the top level leadership?

A. There are differences among top level leadership regarding the policy of the party at the implementation level.  I have already mentioned that we debate and discuss to sort out such differences. But that can not be the base for the breaking up of the party. There is no controversy whatsoever that exists at the top level leadership of ML.

Q. Many people say, if the ML breaks up again, its future is finished, what do you feel?

A. It may be true.  Many people including the party workers may think like that. But we at the top level leadership of the party are committed towards a certain aim. We are committed to the party and the nation. As I already said, our aim is patriotism, democracy, nationalsim and social changes for betterment of all. We will never compromise on these four issues. We are all united to achieve these aims. But we are united not just because we are afraid of our future. This is our commitment towards the social change for the betterment of our society.

Q. Communists in Nepal tend to break up even over minor differences, but the Nepali Congress sticks together even after bigger problems? Why do you think this has happened?

A. This has two reasons. First is that, the Communists parties and Communist leaders are more serious regarding their principle and politics, this cannot be said of any other party. Because of this whenever there are serious differences on the issues of principle and policies, breaking up of the Communist parties take place. Difference in principle and policies have brought about rifts in communist movement on many occasions. I am not talking about the ML only. This holds true for all communist leaders and parties. 

Secondly, the unity and well being of the Communist party depends more on its leadership. In other words, Communists parties are more oriented towards the central leadership. The central body is the main regulating body in these parties. Therefore increasing differences among the top leadership of the party creates more likely chances for a break up of the party. Individual ambition, selfishness and ego problems among the central leaders are some reasons which increase differences. Individual ambition, selfishness and ego problem also exist in Capitalist party.

Q. The CPN-ML faced a humiliating defeat in the last general election. Why do you feel this happened?

A. We made our point very clear in matters related to nationalism, democracy and patriotism. Despite that there remained some loopholes and weaknesses on our part. We were unable to reach the general public to the extent we should have reached them. Even more important than that was our enemies and other contestants in the general election who joined hands together to blank out the CPN-ML. Our enemies utilized all sorts of measures and opportunities against us. Beside that, many foreign forces also acted against us.

When we raised the issues of patriotism and nationalism, we clearly opposed the policies of the foreign forces which were active against our country. Nepal has been deceived by our immediate neighbour regarding its water resources. We also have had debates with that country regarding the encroachment of the border. All Nepalese people have now understood their attitude towards our country on security issues, specially after the recent hijack of Indian Airlines plane. The CPN-ML has always been against such actions which are not favourable to Nepal and the Nepalese people. That’s why their influence in Nepal also played a pivotal role in our defeat in the general election.

Q. Does that mean Nepalese politics is completely dominated by outsiders?

A. Yes, Nepalese politics is dominated by outsiders. In fact, after the Peoples’ Movement of 1990, such interference is increasing in a rapid manner. India alone is not responsible for all foreign reactionary influence in Nepalese politics. Other countries are also actively involved in influencing Nepal’s politics. However, India is the major one indulging in such activities. Right from the period of British rule, India had been active against the freedom and sovereignty of Nepal. That may be due to our geo-political situation. Many countries have considered Nepal as being under the Indian global strategy. The CPN-ML is always against the reactionary influence of foreign countries in Nepal’s politics and economy.

Q. Is the CPN-ML willing to join hands with other self proclaimed nationalists? Even some who were in power during the Panchayat System?

A. We believe in nationalism and patriotism. We highly support progressive nationalism. We prefer to be known more as patriots rather than nationalist party. We support all those Nepalese people who have raised their voice for democracy, nationalism and patriotism. In order to fight for the cause of national issues we may, to some extent, join hands with individuals or forces. Our association with them will, however, be conditional. We positively consider their effort for the benefit of our country regardless of their identity. However, without any definite programmes, I don’t think it is wise enough to discuss our future association with certain person or certain groups. 

Q. Why do you feel the UML is not a nationalist party?

A. When the CPN-ML was formed in 2006 B. S., it raised the voice of democracy, change of political system and nationalism. The CPN-UML also continued to raise the same voice until its sixth general convention held in Nepalgunj. Our differences with the UML started from there. This caused the break-up of the party.

Now we consider the CPN-UML as an opportunist national party. And, it doesn’t consider the CPN-ML as a national party. In such a situation, we can not think of any sort of association with this party for the fulfillment of our national cause. 

Q. What about the Nepali Congress? Is it too pro-Indian?

A. We don’t need to say that the Nepali Congress is pro-Indian. Their party leader and the Prime Minister of the country has said that they are pro-Indian while he assumed the prime ministerial office. After the restoration of democracy in Nepal, the Nepali Congress ruled the country for the longest period of time. Whenever the Nepali Congress was in power, the reactionary influence of India increased in Nepal. When Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was the interim prime minister of the country, he accepted India’s domination and agreed on preferential treatment to India. The Tanakpur Treaty and the Mahakali Treaty were also agreed upon when the Nepali Congress was in power. When the Indian police forces raided a house in Baneswhor, the Nepali Congress was in power. In the recent hijack of Indian Airlines plane, our Prime Minister apologized to India even before the commission for its investigation was formed. Such kind of attitude, where one doesn’t show self respect for ourselves, are things which have also helped foreign forces to dominate us. 

Q. What lessons should Nepal learn from the recent Indian Airline hijack?

A. We have seen many incidents which have proved that smuggling of gold and foreign currencies are taking place through the Tribhuvan International Airport. Ministers and high level officials including the Home Minister are benefiting from such activities. This process could not be stopped even when the UML and ML were in power. This clearly shows the security weaknesses at the airport. People with bad intention may have gone through it. This is our biggest weakness. Beside that, the slowness of our administration is another of our  weakness. Regarding this particular case of hijacking, the weaknesses and loopholes of Nepal still need investigation. We also don’t know from where this conspiracy brewed. Therefore, it’s too early to blame ourselves. 

Thus, firstly, we should be able to assess our weakness and find measures to control them. And, secondly, we must have the sense of freedom and self-respect. We must be confident on our part. We must not bow down to the foreign forces who want to dominate and control us.

Q. After the general election, the ML was supposed to work towards building its base, but that has not happened. What has gone wrong?

A. Nothing has gone wrong. We are working towards that direction. As I said earlier, this is again the media which has presented the wrong picture. In fact, these days many print media have a tendency to speculate on the rifts between the top level leaders of the party.

Just yesterday (Sunday) we announced that we will launch the people’s disobedience movement to press for the fulfillment of our 32-point demand as the second phase of our protest programme. Presently, we are in the process of talking with other parties to go together.