"Personnel will take care of leaders who don't do their job" - Madhav Sapkota

KATHMANDU, Aug 6: The fourth Central Committee meeting of the CPN-Maoist Centre is currently being held at the Pragya Bhawan at Kamaladi in the capital.

The central members of the party have debated the political and organizational report presented by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' in the meeting.

Most members are of the opinion that the party will only become a true party if the leadership changes while some held the opinion that they should move forward and build the party without criticising the leadership.

Federal MP and Central Member Madhav Sapkota has also expressed his opinion on the report presented by the Chairman. Ratopati's Ganesh Pandey had a brief discussion with Sapkota about the discussions and issues in the meeting. Here is an edited excerpt of the conversation:

What are the views of the Central Members on the report presented by Chairman Prachanda? And what are your views on it?

Looking at a fundamental level, they are good and positive. Everyone has been able to criticise the leadership without worry and they are ready for any sacrifice for the sake of transformation. In my opinion, the debate has been positive.

As far as the party formation is concerned - firstly, the party has become a 'nominated' type. When the time comes for elections, the leaders must turn to personnel and the people. So the leaders should be more responsible towards them. If the leaders don't do their job, cheat or go astray, the personnel will take care of them. Therefore, the party should be run by procedure and not by conscience.

Secondly, the leaders and personnel who fought and contributed in the war should be honoured. Along with that, we need to figure out how to train today's youth through new technologies and mediums. The current generation doesn't know about the People's War, the People's Movement and the 70-year-long struggle. Basically, the youth should be informed about the movement.

Many people are of the opinion that a Special Convention should be held rather than the Statute Conference in Mangsir, what does it mean?

We need to hold a discussion about the statute. Although the statute is enough for now, the entire Central Committee should be mentally oriented for the elections. Not everyone wins the elections so the losing side should be able to accept the results. When you win the election, you should be excited and work for the party, and when you lose, you should still work for the party. A lot of consultation, discussion and debate is required, that's why the Statute Conference is necessary.

How will the Maoists move forward after the meeting? Will it be transformed or will it follow the same old pattern?

There is no third option. The challenge is whether the party will dissolve like this or develop in a new way and become the main political power of the country. We have managed to come to power through various means and support. But this pattern won't last forever.

How to form such a party?

As I said earlier, we have to attract young people. Old leaders and personnel need to change their lifestyles drastically. The old leaders should be respected, and the party should be run in a methodical and procedural manner. The rebuilding of the party is only possible that way.

Some leaders have raised the question as to why Maoists are needed for the parliamentary system if there are Congress and UML?

Congress, UML and Maoists are vastly different. The Congress' version of socialism is capitalist socialism. Our socialism is an advanced version of socialism that embraces social justice. If we implement advanced socialism through the government, there will automatically be a difference between us and Congress. If we leave social justice behind in favour of the capitalist system, then it becomes parliamentarian socialism.

Can you and the UML move together in the current parliamentary system? Will one of the two parties merge?

In the present day, there is some sort of opposition between us and UML. Within the UML, there is a major force and line that believes that there should be polarisation between the communists in Nepal and they should move towards socialism with social justice. There is a disdain towards the current system in the primary leadership of UML. Numerous leftists like the UML and Maoists have divided. This should end over time. Learning from the previous CPNs, all of them should be unified as a whole. Goals should be set for socialism so it doesn't collapse early. We have already commenced this with the Socialist Front.