Maoists returning to power in Nepal?

Shamsuddin Ahmed
Are the Maoists returning to power or taking over power in Nepal? UCPN Maoist supreme leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has claimed Tuesday his party will soon form a national government. He did not elaborate how UCPN (Maoist) will form the national government. Will he succeed to rally support of the majority members in parliament or the President will install the party in power by virtue of its single majority in the House by a decree.
“We will soon form a national government with the power of people’s movement,” he told a party meeting. After ruling the country for 8 months Prachanda resigned as Prime Minister on May 4 in a row over reinstatement of the Army Chief Katwal by the President. He was sacked by Prachanda.
Prachanda told the party workers he would not lead the national government leaving an indication that one of the three vice-chairmen will be the Prime Minister.
He assured the party cadres that none of those opposed the civilian supremacy would be inducted in the national government. UML and Nepali Congress of elderly leader Girija Prasad Koirala in particular were vehemently opposed to the Maoist rule.
The Maoist leader also directed the party men to prepare for effective launching of the month long agitation called for restoring ‘civilian supremacy’, meaning overturning the President’s decision of reinstating Army Chief Katwal.
Madhav Kumar Nepal of CPN (UML) had succeeded Prachanda with the support of Nepali Congress Party and MJF. Political analysts had predicted that no government without the support of UCPN (Maoist) — which fought the guerrilla war for a decade and winning the election and bringing down the monarchy declaring the country a republic — can be stable. UML-NC government apparently failed in all sectors raising problems of the people.
Strong youth wing
Prachanda’s announcement about the national government came on the second day of his three-day ultimatum to the government to restore ‘civilian supremacy’ with threat of countrywide agitation. Observers say that UCPN (Maoist) is capable of causing stir across the country through its well organized and strong youth wing YCL. Earlier on Tuesday he rejected Prime Minister Nepal’s request to withdraw the month-long agitation programme including road blockade.
Media quoting informed sources reports that Maoist mistrust about the Congress-backed government has raised, after former king Gayanendra’s visits to India, for the second time this year. He has allegedly been conspiring to restore monarchy with any form of assistance from New Delhi.
India would not like Maoists returning to power for obvious reason. That will give impetus to the Maoist insurgency in India seriously threatening its internal security. Besides, New Delhi will lose its age-old domination over Nepal under Maoist rule.

Courtesy of Weekly Holiday