Prachanda Discusses Communist Unity and Provincial Government

Surkhet. The coordinator of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has been advancing the idea of communist unity recently. Even after uniting with a dozen communist factions previously, he achieved weak results, yet he is now advocating for communist unity including with the UML.

However, Prachanda himself has stated that immediate unity is not possible. On Saturday, Prachanda, who came to Surkhet, held a question-and-answer session with journalists on Sunday morning in Birendranagar.

In that context, he answered journalists’ questions on the future plans of the Communist Party of Nepal, the future of provincial governments, and the issue of communist unity. Here is an edited excerpt of the questions asked to Prachanda and his answers during the question-and-answer session:

You have been talking about communist unity repeatedly recently, is it possible? Is homework being done on this?

We have recently made a policy decision in our party’s central coordination committee meeting to reorganize our own party and make it a new party in terms of ideology, politics, and organization by taking it to the general convention.

Second, communist movements must unite and move forward, because the communist movement certainly suffered a setback in the elections last February. We have made a policy decision that there is a need for unity.

As you said, along with that policy decision, formal and informal discussions are also being held with various communist groups and leaders, but the situation where unity will happen immediately or a single party will be formed has not yet arisen. Our view is that by continuing to cooperate, build understanding, and increase trust, there must be polarization at some point. I myself am taking initiative in that as the coordinator of the party.

You have already united with about a dozen communist factions, now the UML remains. Have there been any discussions with the UML?

Our discussion is about the whole. Communists are not just UML and CPN, there are others too. We have talked to them as well, but in the current situation of the country, meaningful and result-oriented unity is with the UML.

Unity with the UML already happened before (in 074 BS), you all failed in that. The public also doesn’t believe you, is unity possible again?

Yes. The communist vote bank is still large in Nepal. The vote shifted, it looked like all Maoists in 064 BS, and it was a two-thirds majority for the CPN in 074 BS. Now it looks like Rastriya Swatantra Party. Vote shifts are natural in Nepal as the public observes the situation, and from the perspective of the communist vote bank, there is also a basis to attract a large vote again if we unite and move forward.

Therefore, it doesn’t matter if we fail once or twice. You must have read the story of the spider, right! No matter how many times it tries to climb up, it finally succeeds. Similarly, we should not think that if we fail once in a task for a good cause, it is over. We have to work hard continuously, and we are doing it. You will see.

Within the current Communist Party of Nepal, there is widespread dissatisfaction regarding the designated responsibilities in the provinces, for example, Maoist strongholds in Karnali have been handed over to former Samajwadi leaders. When the current party itself is struggling to survive, isn’t talking about unity with other parties inappropriate?

I don’t think there is such dissatisfaction. I don’t think the cadres feel that way everywhere, but the general sentiment of the cadres is not like that. Our leadership has made sacrifices and taken initiatives for communist unity in the past, and brought the CPN to the brink of a two-thirds majority. Now, our friends, those who came from the people’s war, are proud that we are again taking initiative for communist unity. I think 99 percent are proud. They are happy that we are still working for unity. There may be a few friends who feel a little let down, but for a larger objective, for change, this is a minor issue. Moreover, since we are going to the general convention, after all, an elected committee will be formed from the convention. Those friends who have made good contributions and played good roles will surely come forward.

Let’s talk about the current provincial governments now, the CPN is not in the provincial government now, but there is talk of forming a communist-led government in the province. Are discussions happening among top leaders about this?

I am in talks with everyone. I met with Purna Bahadur Khadka for a while yesterday. Proposals have been coming to us from the Congress and the UML for major parties to form provincial governments together, and they are still coming, but as the party and its coordinator, I have refused. We are not in the game of forming governments by allying with this or that party now. It will only create confusion among the public and may help others.

We have refused, stating that the policy of sending the Congress out and forming a government with the UML, or sending the UML out and forming a government with the Congress, is wrong in the current situation. We have said that if we want to bring innovation to the provincial governments, then Congress, UML, CPN, and even Madhesh-centric parties must come together to form a common government. We will agree to that.

If that happens, all forces in favor of democracy, republic, and those who supported the peace agreement and the Constituent Assembly will come together. This will give the public a sense of reassurance and relief. The government can also run comparatively better. Therefore, our proposal is to form an all-party government. It is a government of parties represented in the provincial assembly. If so, we agree. Otherwise, let them run it as the UML-Congress are running it now. We have said we don’t need it. We are not in a hurry about the government. We have already moved forward on our path. Now let’s see, perhaps in a few days it will be clear – whether an all-party government is formed or these governments continue!

Now about the government, what is your stance on trade unions and student organizations? A review of the government’s performance?

I have raised this issue formally and seriously in Parliament. The Supreme Court has also given a 'stay' on it. Therefore, we are confident that the move to ban trade unions or student organizations will not proceed further.

Secondly, the intention of the government led by Balen Shah does not seem right. From bringing ordinances to supporting the issue of the landless problem, there are things that require more opposition and protest than support. We have also raised our concerns through Parliament. If the government does not pay attention, a day may come when we protest from both the parliament and the streets.