Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Prachanda’s Delhi sojourn and India administered truce?

Niraj Aryal

In the eventful last-week the rebels in Nepal yet again dominated the political front. This time the battle was fought without arms but much more intense and more tactful it was as two statements carrying important political messages were released from the rebel side.

The two statements released in tandem, first vowed to fight the Indian imperialism in the country and ultimately fight for a communist republic. In another statement the Maoists suddenly and to the surprise of all called for a three months long unilateral truce with the government in Nepal. A Maoist statement released thus claimed to provide an opportunity to find peace which has eluded the nation for almost a decade.

Is that all or are there other hidden reasons that prompted the Maoists all of a sudden to declare this truce? This is what perhaps a common man in Nepal asks so often with suspicion since the truce was declared all of a sudden.

On the other hand, falling in this Maoists trap the current government as yet has not been able to fabricate a single word to counter this Maoists move. It did but with vague statement by minister Dhakal which could be interpreted both positive and negatively.

To the Maoists liking this truce until now is being interpreted as a trap to the current government and has been hailed locally and internationally as a politically crafted move. This instant popularity could be what the Maoists might have expected initially. Whereas keen political observers also claim this Maoists move as another kind of Maoist stunt to deceive their followers who have been frustrated of non-stop fighting for all along these years.

As lot of things happened last week and in the meantime a newspaper in India adding some spices to these unfolding events claimed that this Maoist declared unilateral cease-fire has been announced at New Delhi's behest to create international pressure on King Gyanendra. Perhaps here lies the answer to a common man’s query as to why the Maoists were prompted to unilaterally declare a cease-fire.

This is not all, the newspaper “The pioneer”, further claims that, “the Maoist leader Prachanda, was in India recently for talks with officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Cabinet Secretariat and the Ministry of External Affairs pointedly has been pushing for a pro-Maoist, anti-monarchy line”.

The Maoists are yet to comment in this regard but this claim would perhaps tarnish the very "credentials" of the Maoists. A few political observers also claim that this theory of “India behest move” cannot be ruled out-rightly as in the recent past the Indian government has shown its amity to the rebels in Nepal for a variety of undeclared but "exposed" reasons.

Another political observer also claimed, “India in the recent times has shown it’s distaste against the Nepali Monarch and more so irritated by HM’s effort to have good relations with the northern neighbor, thus forcing the political parties and the Maoists to yield against the Monarchy in Nepal”. The China factor appears to have embarrassed India to the extent that they have now thought to "teach" a lesson to Nepal by openly siding with the Maoists. Could be !

Anyway, the Maoists statements contradicts with each other as the first one claims to fight the Indian imperialism and the other one perhaps released as commanded by the imperialists seated in the south block themselves. Now it’s better for the Maoists to clear their stance regarding this issue other wise there is a danger that the Maoists themselves fall in their own trap so nicely crafted by the men in the South Block.

Awake O! Ye! Sons of the Nepali soil and understand who is seducing you and for what clandestine gains! Understand thy friends in alien land!