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Phanindra Dahal

The Kathmandu Post

Publication Date : 09-01-2013

In its first General Convention (GC) since its split from the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) party, the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist leadership faces pressure from its cadres to revive war-era structures, including the military, to accomplish “outstanding tasks of the revolution”.

The breakaway Maoists believe that the mother party conveniently side-stepped two major agendas—socio-economic transformation of Nepali society and dignified integration of the former Maoist combatants into the Army—‘betraying the People’s War.’

While there is unanimity in the party over the two issues, there is divergence on the way forward to complete the outstanding tasks of the revolution.

While party Chairman Mohan Baidya “Kiran” is against an immediate reinstatement of an armed struggle, Secretary Netra Bikram Chand “Biplav” is of the view that revolution will not be complete without taking up arms.

“The party will now adopt a roadmap of cooperation and struggle. If parties refuse us a share in state power, we will start preparations for an armed struggle,” Party Secretary Chand told reporters at the party headquarters in Buddhanagar yesterday.

“We are not in favour of wasting time in the name of consensus.” The convention, which kicks off at Khulamanch in Kathmandu today, will be attended by around 1,200 representatives from the state and district committees and the party structure overseas, including India.

Representatives from state committees have said there is intense pressure on the party to revive conflict-era structures such as the “people’s government”, “people’s court” and the “people’s liberation army” to help carry the revolution forward.

“We cannot complete the revolution with words and paper alone. There should be a military structure and all members of the party and its sister organisations should be part of an army,” said a representative from the Tamsaling State Committee.

The National People’s Volunteer, the party’s youth wing, is all set to advocate for the establishment of a military wing, comprising 21 core structures under the chairman’s leadership.

Krishna Dev Danuwar, a leader from the party’s Madhes State Committee, said the party would resort to a “struggle” after the general convention to secure the “people’s republic, safeguarding national sovereignty and resolving issues related to people’s livelihood.”

He, however, said the party will not immediately go for a military structure and would instead take peacefully to the streets.

“The party will think of forming a military wing only if the government cracks down on our agitation,” he said.

Some local representatives have also argued that the party should go “partially underground” and give continuity to efforts aimed at fulfilling the goals of the decade-long “People’s War”.

“The party was observing a ceasefire for the last few years. We expect that the general convention will energise the rank and file by adopting clear strategies on the way forward,” said one representative from the party’s Maghraat State Committee.

The five-day national congress will also question the “genuineness” of the UCPN (Maoist) party since its split in June. The CPN-Maoist has also claimed this as its “seventh” general convention, continuing with the last one held 22 years ago.

Despite widespread discontent with the mother party, there are still speculations that UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will attempt an alliance with Baidya, given his “insecurity” with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Dahal’s rival within the party.

Observers claim that the feud within the former rebel party could lead to three communist parties—one led jointly by Dahal and Baidya, one by Bhattarai and another by Chand.