Can We Go Ahead?

by Netra Bikram Chanda “Biplap", The Red Star Vol 3 issue 16

The debate in Nepal is on whether revolution is possible or not. The debate is not only ideological and general assumption; rather, it is cent radon the question whether there is possibility to increase intervention in the central power state or not. The two sharp analyses have emerged on the issue. They are on for and against.


The analytical perspective that sees revolution impossible:
One of the analytical perspectives is that the revolt is impossible. Yes, it seems so from that side of perspective. Th is analysis has been emerged mainly from the side of some leftist intellectual politicians and analysts. They have given the following reasons to justify this logic.

Unfavorable international situation
Favorable international situation is needed for the completion of revolution. For that, there should be a crisis in the centre of capitalism and unfavorable situation should have created against them. Moreover, there should be crisis in India, America and China for the completion of revolution like small and poor country Nepal. Otherwise, these power centres interfere over Nepal and revolution can not be succeeded.

No support of India
Indian ruling class is in favor of bourgeois class of Nepal. The role of Indian ruling class is important for the revolution of Nepal; however, the favor of India ruling has always been on the side of Nepali Congress and UML. Therefore, the revolution is inconvenient due to oppose of Indian ruling class.

Nepali Army supports bourgeois class
The role of army is important for the success of revolution. In the situation of incomplete revolution and existence of strong old army that side gets victory towards which army pays support. Therefore, if army supports revolution, it gets its completion and if it does not, revolution becomes failure. In Nepal, army is in the side of Nepali Congress and UML. In this situation, we will have to fight with army if we want to complete revolution.

‘Betrayed’ Maoists to resume street war

 From the Kathmandu Post

The UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday concluded that the ruling Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) betrayed the party by not implementing the “unwritten agreement” and the May 28 three-point deal. The party also decided to intensify protests against the government.

In a meeting of the Standing Committee of the party, the Maoists decided to come up with protest programmes if the prime minister does not quit “immediately,” according to a party source.

The main opposition, which has been saying that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leaders of the ruling parties have agreed to form a new unity government within five days of signing of the three-point deal on May 28, is miffed at the ruling parties.“NC and UML betrayed our party by not implementing the three-point deal, which was supposed to be a beginning of consensual politics,” Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said in a press release issued after the SC meeting.

Freedom Read Socialist Organization Statement on Nepal

Nepal is one of the most poor and economically underdeveloped countries in the world. It sits between the nations of India and China and within these conditions a broad and astonishing revolutionary movement is being developed. Beginning in 1996 the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)—also known as the Maobadi—launched a popular armed guerrilla struggle against the feudal monarchy, headed by King Gyanendra.

The Maoists based themselves initially from the remote villages of Rolpa and Rukum, following the “Protracted People’s War” strategy originally developed by Mao Zedong.  That was the defining strategy that won the Chinese Revolution, which involved encircling the cities from the countryside. The Maoists formed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) which would militarily confront the monarchist forces, while revolutionary activists in the cities encouraged general strikes and talk of insurrection.

There are many notable things about this revolution that distinguish it from others, but prominently the issue of democracy, or as the Maoists call it “proletarian democracy,” has come to the forefront. After successfully building base areas and mobilizing both the rural peasantry and urban working classes, the revolutionaries of Nepal entered into a Seven Party Alliance to strip King Gyanendra of his crown, officially denouncing his position of “living god” and effectively abolishing the system of monarchy in Nepal. The Maoists have stated that they believe that the process of socialist construction should necessarily see competing parties as desirable.

Memorandum of Understanding Signed by 3 Major Parties

The UCPN(M), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding.  It is not currently available in an official English translation, but roughly the MOU is based on three points:

1. The parties signing the MOU will show a mutual commitment to a joint action for a meaningful conclusion of the peace deal and  peace process.
2. The parties agree to add one more year to the term of the Constituent Assembly in order to write the new Constitution for Nepal.
3. The Prime Minister of the coalition government shows promptness for an immediate resignation in order to pave the way for a consensus government based on the above-said promises.

There are already signs that the government is not committed to the spirit of the MOU.  The government is interpreting the MOU for its own interests by asking the Maoists to work on No.1 and 2 before the PM applies No.3 and resigns. The government has also decided to hire about 9,000 soldiers despite the peace deal restrictions that bar either army (both the old Royal Army and Maoists' Peoples' Liberation Army) from recruiting additional soldiers.

Maoists' Final Draft Constitution Made Public

The UCPN(M) has published the102 page long document in Nepali. English translation is currently underway and the document will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Nepal PM won't resign before consensus: UML

From oneindia.

Kathmandu, June 2 (ANI): The CPN-UML on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will step down only after the guarantee of past agreements on peace process and Constitution-writing.

 

During the Standing Committee (SC) meeting, the party has remarked that it was pointless on the Maoists' part to pressurise the prime minister to step down before implementing the past agreements.

UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and leader KP Oli informed the SC members about the procedures of three-point agreement between the three parties.

Nepalnews quoted Khanal as, saying that the first point of the three-point agreement, which is about implementing the past agreements, and the third point (on 'immediate resignation' of the PM) should be implemented simultaneously.

"The second point of the agreement regarding the extension of the Constituent Assembly term has already been executed," he said.

Earlier, UCPN (Maoist) Vice-Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai had said there would be serious consequences if Prime Minister doesn't resign as per the agreement.

It had been agreed during the tri-partite meeting between the Maoists, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML last Friday that Prime Minister will resign within five days if Maoists agree on the extension of Constituent Assembly (CA)'s tenure.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the big three parties is underway to discuss the contentious political issues including the spirit of the three-point agreement.

The three parties resume the talks shortly after UML decision that Prime Minister would step down if the main opposition party agrees to implement the other conditions stated therein.

The meeting is being attended by Prime Minister as well. (ANI)