NATIONAL 1 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Strategy For Survival

Deserted by grass-root workers, the CPN-UML and CPN-ML launch a unification drive to survive as a strong force

By KESHAB POUDEL

With the Nepali Congress government led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and the CPN-Maoist finally heading for negotiations, the country’s leading communist rivals, CPN-UML and CPN-ML, are moving towards building broader left unity. Why did they choose this time for forge a unity that seemed impossible until so recently? Simply, the leaders of both parties want to use their combined strength to fight the Maoists, especially with the local elections just around the corner.

Despite their call for unity among leftist forces, the two major communist parties are finding it difficult to build consensus within their own organizations. Other communist parties described the UML's proposal as a hoax. Interestingly, controversy has surfaced within the rank and file even before the start of formal negotiations. In the UML, No. 2 K.P. Sharma Oli has vehemently opposed the merger move with ML. On the other hand, senior ML leader C.P. Mainali has resisted the proposal to join the UML.

Nepal (left) with Gautam : Building camaraderie

It seems powerful lobbies within the country and outside are trying to disrupt the unification process of all left parties. The proposal is itself a strange development, especially at a time when there is a very remote possibility of unification of Nepal’s communist movement which is splintered more along the lines of personality than ideology.

One of the country’s leading daily newspapers even questioned the justification of the unity between the two old rivals. "Why do CPN-UML leaders, who not long ago termed the CPN-ML general secretary as the most corrupt Nepali alive, want to merge with that party?" asks Chitra Bahadur K.C., the leader of a radical communist party. "On the other hand, why would the CPN-ML want to merge with a party it has consistently described as anti-national?"

Although the move is official called a process of building left unity, it is no more than an effort to unify the CPN-ML and CPN-UML. One primary compulsion has long been clear. The CPN-Maoist have already lured large number of workers from both parties. However, the fissures in the mainstream communist parties run so deep that any unification bid has to pass through several phases. Nevertheless, the effort has generated enthusiasm and hope among communist leaders.

To counter the exodus of their grass-root workers towards the Maoists, the UML and the ML find themselves drawn to each other. Ten years ago, the UML dramatically established itself as the second largest party in parliament. In a similar way, the Maoists are emerging as a leading communist force, threatening to push other groups by the wayside.

After the government-Maoist truce was announced, Maoists have organized dozens of public meetings in different parts of the country, including two in the heart of the capital. The large crowds at these meetings provided a clear indication to mainstream communist leaders of the challenge the Maoists actually pose their own survival.

"CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and CPN-ML general secretary Bam Dev Gautam know how the red carpet is gradually being swept from under their feet. Even if they form a united left front, the UML and the ML will be in no position to gain their earlier position in the coming elections, as a large number of grass-root workers have already deserted them," says a political analyst.

Apart from the threat from the Maoists, there may be other less clear, but equally important, factors behind the drive to bring all left parties together. Some leftist sympathizers are making all-out efforts to unite all left forces in what could herald a major realignment of Nepalese political forces.

Although the UML has already sent a team to start negotiations for unification, other communist parties are yet to make up their mind on whether a merger is actually viable. The ML has agreed to hold talks with all left parties to form a combined left front.

It is becoming clearer that the two communist parties, which underwent a bitter separation three years ago, are now on the verge of unification. "We received formal letter from the UML for unification and our party members have shown a positive response to it," says Mainali, a politburo member of the ML. "Instead of a merger, we want to form a united left front including the UML."

The UML is interested in outright unification rather than a common front. "We want unification among all communist parties including the ML," said UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikary. "Other left parties could also join as members of the front or work out electoral adjustments."

What has inspired our eternally squabbling communist leaders to unite against the formidable Maoists? Who is behind the simmering opposition against such an alliance within the parties concerned and outside?

There may be no clear answers to these and similar questions. When it comes to a life-and-death situation, however, even the bitterest rivals cannot afford to wait for answers.