Nepal: Feb 13 Set for Fifth Wave of Protest

This article was published on the Himalayan Times.

Maoists to unleash 5th phase protest from Feb 13

KATHMANDU: Identifying the national independence, peace and constitution as its work-plan and announcing a fresh month-long protest programmes, the week-long Standing Committee meeting of the UCPN- Maoist concluded on Thursday afternoon. The meet also condemned the continued killings and attacks on its cadres in different districts.

The party announced that it would organise a month-long publicity-oriented protest programmes starting from February 13. It also announced a mobilisation campaign from February 13 to March 8 to spread awareness among the people about its ongoing protest programme on national independence and civilian supremacy.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the Standing Committee meet in the premises of its party office Koteshwor, party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that the party is committed to the peace process and drafting the new constitution. He also made it clear that he has not proposed Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala for the post of Prime Minister. His denial comes a few days after NC leaders reportedly made the claim. He added that the party would support the revision of the proposed deadline for drafting the new constitution if the other parties were in agreement. He said that differences among the parties can be resolved through the HLPM.

Nepal Maoists: Revolt If Writing Constitution, Peace Process Blocked

This article appeared in My Republica on February 4, 2010

Revolt if conspiracies against constitution

KATHMANDU: Maoists have decided to launch a people´s revolt only if the constitution writing and peace process fall prey to conspiracy. The Maoist party reached a decision to this effect during the eight-day long standing committee meeting that ended Wednesday. “There is no dispute in the party that the people hold the right to revolt if conspiracy against the promulgation of a people´s constitution prevailed,” said Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, while briefing the media on the standing committee´s decisions.

The meeting decided to continue pushing for national independence, civilian supremacy, peace, new constitution and national unity government as the party´s working policy.

Dahal said that there are no intra-party differences over the party´s strategic move, and the media reports that hardliners want preparation for an immediate revolt and moderates are for peace and constitution are totally false and part of the planned conspiracy against the Maoist party. “We have given continuity to the same old working policy and the party is unanimous on this,” he said.

Nepal: Maoists Call for Joint-Front of Patriotic and Republican Forces

This article was published on eKantipur on February 4, 2010.

Maoist propose joint-front of ‘patriotic, republican forces’ for peace, statute drafting

KATHMANDU: The UCPN (Maoist), which has been agitating putting forth the demands of civilian supremacy, correction of President’s move and more lately with the slogan of national sovereignty, on Thursday floated the proposal of a joint-front of ‘patriotic’ and ‘republican forces’ for peace and constitution drafting.

Speaking at the press conference organised at the party headquarters in Koteshwor to make public the decisions of party Standing Committee meting today, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the party put forth the proposal of joint-front as conspiracies are rife to derail the peace and statute writing process.

He mentioned that his party will take solid steps to form such front. He reiterated that the public had the rights to revolt if efforts were made to obstruct the peace and constitution drafting process.

Kiran: India Still Interfering in Nepal

This appeared on Telegraph India on February 5, 2010.

Expansionist India humiliating Nepal, Land grab continues: Baidya

“Those are the agents of expansionist India”, quickly replied Mohan Baidya Kiran-the senior vice chairman of Unified Maoists’ Party when asked to comment on the widespread allegation that the Maoists’ were looking for support from the former Royalist camp.

AP: What about Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai’s views that there still exist struggle between the adherents of Pushpa Lal (Unity with Democrats) ideology and Rayamaji (pro-monarchy) ideology in your party?

Baidya: I have no idea why he said so. He knows better why he made such comments and I know better for what I am saying now.