Rival Communist Leaders Push Back on Unity Calls Amid Ideological Rift

Leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplav', who collaborated during the 10-year People's War, now lead different political parties. Biplav split from the then CPN (Maoist) led by Prachanda-Baburam in 2069, disagreeing with their policy of peaceful struggle and parliamentary politics, opting instead for armed struggle.

After several years in underground politics, Biplav returned to mainstream peaceful politics in 2077 by signing a 3-point agreement with the government led by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. However, Biplav has failed to strengthen his political organization over the past five years since returning to peaceful politics. Meanwhile, Prachanda has attempted to remain at the center of Nepali politics by forming alliances, first with the UML and then with the Congress, eventually leading to the formation of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN).

Following the political shift after the two-day general strike last Bhadra, Prachanda formed the CPN by unifying with the CPN (Unified Socialist) and other leftist components. However, Biplav was left out even during the formation of the CPN. Although, until the formation of the CPN, Biplav and Prachanda were collaborating within the Socialist Front. When Prachanda abandoned the Maoist name and formed the CPN, the rift between Prachanda and Biplav began with both sides labeling the other with ideological deviation tags.

Just last Friday, at an event in Kathmandu, Biplav accused Prachanda of fleeing from communist unity.

This contrasts with Prachanda's statement just on Wednesday, where he called for unity essential to strengthen the communist movement and invited Biplav's party to return to the mainstream after self-reflection.

He stated that the real home is only the CPN, and wandering here and there is useless; instead, Biplav would be welcomed back into the unity process if he engaged in self-reflection. 'I appeal to them as well, you should also self-reflect; this is your real home, this is the place you should come to,' Prachanda said while addressing a party induction program, 'Biplav Ji is moving here and there these days. That will achieve nothing.' Prachanda also advised Biplav to self-reflect. 'As a comrade who sat with me for a long time, I seriously say that this is the time for you to self-reflect. Your opportunity has not been completely lost yet,' Prachanda said, 'If you self-reflect and join the unity, we are ready to welcome you again.'

However, responding to Prachanda on Friday, Biplav retorted that unity cannot protect the revolution by joining hands with opponents just to win a single seat by dismantling Maoist ideology. He argued that appeals for unity are unbecoming of those who have deviated, asserting that only a force completely connected with the people is fit to call for unity.

Biplav stated that they would not participate in any unity that dissolves the Maoist movement, announcing that they would go to the people with the agendas and true ideology raised by the party, indicating that unity with Prachanda is not possible.

'Prachanda Ji occasionally appeals for unity. I say that an appeal for unity is unbecoming of a deviator,' Biplav said, 'It is unbecoming of one who flees from their own values and principles.'

Biplav also portrayed Prachanda as a leader who does not adhere to discipline. 'An appeal for unity should be made by a force completely connected with the people. It should be made by a disciplined party leader and cadre. The power that is walking the right path has the right to unite,' he commented, further criticizing Prachanda for being stuck in and rushing towards decay in a quagmire.