Nepalmountainnews Report | 27 Sep 2007
Madhav Kumar Nepal, General Secretary of the CPN-UML is one of the key players in Nepal contemporary politics. Born in 2009 BS in Gaur of Rauthat, Nepal joined the Communist Party of Nepal led by Puspalal in 2027 BS. 
He was a founding politburo member of CPN- (ML), which was formed in 2035, capitalizing the revolutionary spirit of Jhapa Peasant Uprising in 2028. Following the demise of Madan Bhandari, he has been at the top of the party leadership. Under his stewardship, the CPN-UML went to power several times and saw its organization expanded and robust. Talking to The Rising Nepal, Nepal spoke about the current political situation, constituent assembly election, inter-party relations and the Maoist activities. Excepts:
How do you describe your recent trip to Europe and the response of the international community to Nepal's ongoing peace process?
I visited Norway at the invitation of Norwegian International Development Minister and Belgium, Denmark and the UK at the invitation of the organizations of Nepali Diaspora. I interacted with ministers, government officials and different political parties and addressed a number of gatherings. The visit was extremely useful to enhance ties between Nepal and Norway. I think it will help develop positive attitude among the Nepalese and foreigners towards Nepal's ongoing peace process and upcoming CA elections.
I found the international community highly concerned about Nepal's political process and eager to see the country's problems addressed through the elections. They are against the deferral of elections under any pretext. They want the polls to be held successfully at any cost. The postponement of the elections, they think, will push Nepal into a bigger crisis and create a crisis of credibility and legitimacy of institutions that came into existence following the April movement last year. They concurred that no one should obstruct the elections.
Are you sure that the polls will take place on November 22?
Yes. The eight political parties had agreed to hold the elections on November 22. In the amendment of the Interim Constitution, they reached a common consensus to conduct the polls on the same date. So far, no political party has proposed to defer the elections except the Maoists whom we were trying to bring back in the row. We hope they will return soon. We should not run after rumour, which would only confuse the people. I believe that the political parties will honestly abide by the agreement and will not act in a way that would portray them as unreliable forces in the public's eyes.
What is your comment on the Maoist demands and their arguments that the polls cannot be held in the existing conditions?
They might have complaints about the plight of the families of martyrs and victims of conflict, which should be discussed and addressed in an appropriate manner. But they should not raise new political conditions on the eve of elections. It is meaningless to wake up after the time is over. When the UML had stood for the proportional representation, the Maoists were in deep slumber.
While drafting the constitution, we had agreed to settle the issue of monarchy at the first meeting of CA. To raise these issues at the moment is to create hurdle for polls. The Maoists should go to polls to establish a democratic republic and pave the way for the radical transformation of Nepali society.
Raising new conditions will only put their credibility at stake. Political parties are formed on the foundation of people's faith and they function accordingly. If they lose public faith, they will also lose their relevance.
Instead of launching agitation, they should go to the polls with open heart. They have to use the polls as their movement. They should utilize it as a podium of their class struggle because it will open the door of new Nepal they were striving for a decade.
What do you say about the Maoist claim that the palace is hatching a conspiracy against the elections?
At present we have not found any evidence to substantiate their claims. We should not base our activities on conjecture. We must be prepared to face any challenges. Whenever the palace is found to have involved in conspiracy, we have the constitutional provision to abolish it.
But the republican sentiment has gripped the nation. In this situation, it would be better if the king abdicates voluntarily by respecting the people's demands and aspirations.
What is your reaction about the recent bomb blasts in the capital? Doesn't it affirm the Maoist claim?
Those who do not want the polls engineered the blasts. But we should not be discouraged from this. It will only benefit the regressive forces. The culprits must be brought to book but polls should not be deferred on security ground.
Do you think the Palace was behind this blast as claimed by some Maoist leaders?
Without evidence, I cannot say anything. But one thing is clear that it was the act of those wanting to foil the polls.
When some new problems have cropped up, the eight-party meeting should have settled these issues. But the meeting of the eight parties has not been held for a long time. What are you doing on your part for this?
The eight-party meeting should be called immediately. The UML has drawn the attention of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala that the meeting would not be delayed because of Nepali Congress and Prime Minister himself. We are also holding talks with different political parties for this purpose. We hope the eight party meeting will be held soon.
What about the republican front the UML has been proposing?
We have very clear opinion. We are for creating democratic republican front but it should not be formed at the expense of eight-party unity. We want to muster the support of NC in building such a front. But the leftist parties should play a pivotal role for this because they are the agents of radical change. They can alone abandon the reformist path and guide the nation towards revolutionary course. The leftist forces need to fully abide by the democratic process and system to win the people's heart. So far as the UML is concerned, our party, guided by the People's Multi-Party Democracy, has won tremendous public support.
Do you have any doubts that the left alliance would materialize?
We will not do any thing that would have adverse impact on 8-paty unity that should continue until the new constitution is drafted. All should collaborate to draft the constitution. After the polls, there might be new alliance and polarisation among the parties. The new alliance can be forged on the basis of their agreement and disagreement on the given issues and situation. For example, the UML can collaborate with the NC on the issue of loktantra (democracy) and with the Maoists on the agenda of nationalism and socio-economic transformation.
How can the Left alliance affect the 8-party unity?
The move to create a left alliance may make the NC suspicious towards the intention of the communists. Nepali Congress may suspect that the leftist forces are hatching conspiracy against democracy. The issue at the moment is to intensify the process of consolidation of republican forces. Later we can discuss about the type of republican set up after the election.
How do you see the NC's recent decision to adopt federal republic?
This decision has brought the NC closer to the leftist forces. It should also make similar decisions on socio-economic agenda. The move has prepared the ground for the establishment of republic in the country.
Does the UML have any plan to share seats with the Maoists in the elections?
We can reach an agreement on this matter not only with the Maoists but also with the NC since we need to move together until we achieve our objectives. The UML has proposed that the parties should agree to ensure that top leaders of different parties win the elections. The prime minister, also, has taken this positively.
Can you see the possibility of unification between the UML and the Maoists?
At the moment, there is no possibility of unity between the two parties but we can come closer and work together. For this, the Maoists should create atmosphere and act accordingly.
Can the Nepal Army be deployed in the elections in the wake of poor security condition?
As per the interim constitution, the army cannot come out of the barrack. It can be mobilized in the election only if eight parties agree to do so. So far as its role is concerned, I am satisfied. They are committed to democracy and nation, and have helped the ongoing peace process. During the April Movement, they committed some mistakes but there was not big bloodshed. We should not always suspect them. Most of them have come from the lower class.
However, it is not that the army has changed completely and embraced democratic values. There is the need for its democratization. Feudal attitude and aberrations besetting the rank and file of the army should be eliminated.
How do you see the rise of Maoist chairman Prachand in the Nepalese communist movement?
Prahanda is a leader of Maoists party. He represents the ultra-leftist movement in Nepal. The Maoists should evaluate the positive and negative aspects of their armed struggle that resulted in the loss of many lives and damaged property. If Prachanda plays an important role to give a logical conclusion to the ongoing peace process and helps bring radical socio-economic transformations, it will certainly contribute to the communist movement of Nepal.
Comments: 5
Related News
(Digg)
(Technorati)
(Blinklists)
(Del.icio.us)
Print 
RSS 
Comments(5)
