"Left-wing government is needed to save the country from danger" - Jhalnath Khanal

KATHMANDU, July 20: The secretariat meeting of the ruling party, CPN Unified Socialists, scheduled for 3 days from July 15 has yet to conclude. Every leader of the 15-member secretariat except the Chairman has expressed their views.

The meeting was held to discuss issues from the strengthening of the organization to the overall political, economic and social state of the party. The leaders have emphasised setting goals with clear policies, programs and guidelines of the party for the meeting.

Former Prime Minister Jhalnath Khanal stated claimed the party was in a weak state theoretically, ideologically and programmatically and emphasised the need for clear guidance in the meeting. He also criticised the leadership stating that the policies adopted by the party on MCC and Citizenship Bill were wrong. Leader Khanal emphasised the need to institutionalise the party as soon as possible as it's running ad hoc.

Ratopati held a brief interview with leader Khanal on the topic of the party's secretariat meeting. Here is an edited excerpt of the conversation:-

We've heard that the party meeting scheduled for 3 days became very complicated and was extended. What topics are particularly being discussed?

We have reviewed the entire 22 months of our party since its formation. Like the role we played in MCC, which was not positive. We are reviewing topics like appearing in front of the general public, raising public awareness, choosing the candidates for the representatives on their own initiative, promoting our own party's flag and symbols, etc. during past elections.

It is also necessary to thoroughly analyse the issue of citizenship, as it is a dire topic. The concept presented by Harka Gurung in the past should be considered by everyone in Nepal. There are two countries with huge populations on both ends of Nepal. If 0.5 percent of their population enters our country, our national identity will be finished. So we are discussing the things needed to avoid demographic encroachment from this viewpoint.

The Capitalist People's Revolution was concluded in 2062/063. We are now in the process of socialist revolutionary transformation. But the guidelines, policies and principles for it are yet to be organized. So we have emphasised carrying out the work in a concrete manner.

Was it your proposal to point out the main contradictions in the party and its main opposing force?

Yes. How can the party's guidelines, goals and objectives be fulfilled without pointing them out? So we will introduce these things after the meeting concludes.

You spoke for 5 hours during the meeting, you must've expressed your views about the current coalition and government. What is your perspective on that topic?

This government is a hung government and a mess. To expect great things from a mess of a government is stupidity. The functioning of this mess of a government is also a mess. That's why we have not delved deep into this topic. But we are discussing the topics of revolutionary guidelines, policies, principles and the meaning of democracy. I put forward the concept of Marxism on the topic of democracy in the first meeting of the Party Committee. Democracy is a class system. A class rule.

In yesteryears, there was a slaver democracy in slavery. A feudalist democracy in feudalism. Now there is a capitalist democracy. And we will go beyond the capital democracy to a socialist democracy. There are about four forms of democracy in the world. They are slavery, feudalism, capitalism and socialism. Apart from these four forms, no other forms can or will ever exist in this world. 

We want to use this capitalist democracy to move towards a socialist democracy. So we should progress our socialist programs, structures and goals in a detailed manner and that is the main goal of the socialist revolution.

Your party's name is Socialists and you've been talking about socialist revolution but do you think it's possible to complete the goal of socialist revolution in the present coalition?

We need to execute policy programs for the sake of the people if we want to move forward on the path of socialist revolution at present. If we want to protect our country and people from national threats and dangers, we have no choice but to move forward with a left-wing government, and not this mess of a government. That is why I believe the communists of Nepal should think through this seriously.

Apart from this, what are the main problems of the country in the present situation?

The country is currently plagued by an all-around crisis. The country's politics is directionless and it is facing economic, social and cultural crises. The crisis of nationality is also deepening.

If progressive, people-oriented and socialist forces don't come together to form a government for the people and nation's sake and implement the policies and programs to solve these problems, the problems arising in the country will deepen and our nationality will get weaker. The leftists of our country should take this matter very seriously.

It's been 22 months since you formed the party but a convention has not been held yet. Why did you demand an early convention in the secretariat meeting?

Yes, our party is still in an ad hoc state. The party's policies are also ad hoc. Every committees and leadership are also ad hoc. Every organization is ad hoc. Documents are also ad hoc. I have been saying for a long time that we should hold a convention as soon as possible, end all ad hocism and build the party in an institutional manner according to the people's wishes, and start deciding the policies and guidelines to advance the party. I expressed the same thing in the ongoing secretariat meeting. So I emphasised to hold the convention as soon as possible.

Was the meeting prolongated because the leaders couldn't come to an agreement on these topics?

This is our 41st secretariat meeting. I had demanded to discuss the theoretical and ideological issues of our country that are burning in front of the communist movement and our party. My demand was delayed due to various reasons. We finally have the opportunity to discuss these issues in detail which is also why the meeting was prolonged. After the Chairman puts forth his points, we will finally reach a decision after discussion.