Nepalmountainnews Report | 7 Dec 2007
Excerpts of interaction of Maoist chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda with the general public on various political and non-political issues, organized by BBC Nepali Service and BBC World Trust Service, last week in Pokhara. The interaction was broadcasted by BBC Nepali Service.
Why was the Constituent Assembly election not held in November?
The CA was postponed with the same reason that contributed to postpone it in June. As seven political parties had not shown any interest to analyze the reason behind the initial postponement, the same forces conspired to postpone the election. 
But many people believe that Maoists are responsible for this. As a revolutionary communist party, do you know any country in the world where revolutionary communist party has won the election?
Wherever communists are now in power, all of them have contested the elections. Whether it was in China or in former Soviet Union, or Vietnam. I want to make it clear that our party had also contested the parliamentary elections of 1993 and became third largest party. We were in the parliament as well at the local level. The accusation that we are responsible to postpone CA election is baseless.
You mean you can contest the election which is conducted by your party?
We have never said that. What we want is that the election of CA should neither be like a parliamentary election nor like an election of Rastriya Panchayat. Only once in the history of any country, can one see CA so there must be participation of all ethnic, linguistic and regional groups. There must be an election where all can participate. It is not a question of whether we will win or lose the election.
In your own interview you have said that Maoist party adheres to the multi-party competition but not parliamentary system? What kind of democracy are you talking about?
What you have said is correct. We want to compete in multi-party system but it does not mean that we have accepted parliamentary democracy. We have been even saying that there will be place for multi-party election even after establishment of socialist system. We don't have any faith in parliamentary system. There are differences between parliamentary system and multi-party system.
Is it true that such multi-party system exist in China, Cuba and North Korea?
So far as I know there is no competition in China and Cuba. Our central party meeting took a decision six years ago that from now on, communist movement has to accept multi-party competition. Our kind of multi-party system and China's and Cuba's multi-party system will be completely different.
If so, why did your party pull out from the government calling to postpone the elections?
Election is one of the major parts of peace process. But, if one does not try to solve other issues like disappearance, cantonment and so on and if one only talks about the election then that will not help. The problems related to peace process are more acute. Girija Prasad Koirala's recent activities are not at par with his earlier activities.
Without addressing the peace process, you cannot create conducive environment for election.
In the name of conducive environment, you have been adding demands one after another.
We demanded proportional representative system and declaration of republic from the interim parliament just after postponement of elections in June. During the meeting in seven party, I made it clear that we would not take part in election without adopting proportional representative system and declaring Nepal as republic. We believe that peace process is not going on smoothly and cabinet needs to be reshuffled and there is a need to change the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction into a high level commission for Peace and Reconstruction.
In your interview two years ago, you had said that the Maoists would accept the verdict of the people - if people voted for absolute monarchy, Maoists would accept it. Now, why are you in doubts?
If conducive environment is created for holding free and fair election, it is not our concern who will win. But, to create conducive environment for election, one needs to address the issues of peace agreement.
You are a champion at changing your stands. You said you want to remove monarchy now. Is it not contradictory to your earlier stand?
All the agreements we have signed were aimed at holding the election by June 2007. When we conducted a study on why the election was not held in June, our party found that monarchy is creating trouble.
You have been claming that you have support of 90 percent of people. Then, why are you still scared by monarchy and feudal elements who have lost their base?
This is completely wrong and this is based on wrong analysis. What we have seen is that the elements of palace have billions of rupees. There is possibility of misusing these properties to create disturbance in the process of holding election.
Do you mean money is greater than the will of people?
This is also not true. People are supreme and that is why we are appealing to the people.
Why did you pull out from the government?
After entering into Baluwatar last year, I appealed that we need to take Nepal into new direction. However, as soon as we entered into interim legislature, a mass agitation and violence started in terai. Soon after our entry into parliament, then American Ambassador visited Janakpur and backed Madhesis. Many legislators in Bihar's assembly openly called Biharis to go to Nepal to fight against Maoists. Many of our friends were killed in Terai. After we joined the government, they created another conspiracy. We had to pull out from the government to create conducive environment to hold election.
You said many countries conspired against your party. Despite all these conspiracies, your party signed 12-point agreement, entered into interim parliament, joined the government, and now when things are not happening as you would like, you have started blaming foreign elements. Is it not your failure?
This is not true. We achieved all these successes because we were more flexible. We pulled out from the government after the efforts were made to tie us down.
How do you look back at the Madi ambush by the Maoists?
We were deeply shocked and feel guilty. We have regretted the incident of Bandarmude. After that incident, I even did not eat food and wept. We plan to visit the place. Recently, also we were to visit there but it could not take place because of conspiracy.
You have been fighting with big forces to wipe out monarchy. Why are you so afraid of facing the people of Madi?
I am not afraid of facing the people of Madi but some conspiring elements of Madi said they will block my visit to Madi. Even they threatened to kill me.
It means you are afraid of your life?
No, I am not afraid of my life. It is not my life but to avert another unimaginable situation.
It is reported that your party workers are collecting donation by threat?
Our party does not have any policy to collect donation by intimidation. If some people want to pay willingly, we will accept it.
You have said that you are going to be president of Nepal within two years...
Personally, I have no intention to become a president of Nepal. If I am given the responsibility, I will accept that.
Your statement is also similar with all other leaders who say they are not interested to hold the position but would not shy away if given the responsibility…
It is same with all the leaders whether they are revolutionary or parliamentarian.
What role will the Maoists play to protect the nationalism?
In case of nationalism, we have a strong commitment and there is no question of compromise. If it is necessary, we will also prepare to start tunnel war. You might have noticed two years ago when our party had declared that we are ready to fight tunnel war against India if it intervenes in Nepal.
While you have been talking about tunnel war against India, you paid secret visit to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu recently. Is it a part of your tunnel war?
The question is immaterial regarding the visit. Important question is whether one can take stand on nationalism or not. Actually, what happened was when I was going to prime minister's official residence at 5:30 pm, the Indian ambassador sought appointment with me for informal discussion requesting to visit my place. I simply told him that since I was going to prime minister's residence at 5:30 pm, I would pay visit to you on the way. What happened was that when I was coming out from embassy, I saw a big gathering of media persons. I had visited the embassy to meet Indian ambassador seven times. But, nothing had happened. That day, someone might have laid ambush against me.
This interview has exclusively been prepared with reference to Spotlight Weekly.
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