We Will Intensify Agitation Further: Mohan Baidya
Mohan Baidya and his party, CPN Maoist, led 33 political parties alliance has been on the streets to foil the government’s and the major political parties’ effort to hold Constituent Assembly member elections. The alliance has presently launched 10-day nationwide transportation strike and other agitation programs to disrupt the CA elections slated for Nov 19. Nepali Reporter’s Rishi Dhamala recently spoke to this man, who among others is credited for launching the decade long Maoist insurgency, on issues surrounding CA elections and his alliance’s future plans. Excerpts:
How do you apprise the success of your agitations? Is the nation moving towards confrontation?
The ‘set-up’ CA that the government intends to form without including us, a major part of the peace process, cannot deliver the constitution. This will intensify conflict rather than fostering peace.
We have been looking forward in a peaceful manner but the government has presented itself aggressively. Even though I made a call for talks to resolve political differences, the government and major political parties neglected it and resorted to suppression. There is still time to save the nation from going into confrontation. I request the civil society, journalist, political parties and the government to take initiatives for consensus. Current situation can be resolved only through political means and I would like to request all concerned to take measures from their end to resolve this situation.
Do you think there are chances for consensus at the threshold of CA elections?
Consensus is national necessity. It is the only means to conclude the peace process. Therefore I request for taking the road dialogues and consensus.
What will your alliance do if the CA elections are heeding to your demands?
Our concern is avert from holding CA elections without garnering consensus. Because such a CA cannot deliver constitution. However, if the government and political parties push it through, our future strategy will depend on how the government presents itself. It is certain that our strategy will be different, if our demands are trampled.
Your power show on transportation seems feeble?
The state, all political parties are all confronting us. The 33 party alliance is confronting the rest of them and this might be effect that gives the impression of feeble transportation strike call.
So are you going to pull out the strike?
I have reiterated it many times that strikes and agitation is a forced choice for us. We understand the troubles that the general public has face due to it, but we request to understand our compulsion. Our agitation will continue and become even intense unless the state responds to our demands. The ongoing transportation will continue.
Will a feeble protest like this fulfill your alliance’s demands?
We are looking plan to review the existing scenario and launch even stern agitation programs. We wont pull out unless our demands are addressed by the state.
But the government is hell bent on holding CA elections, even by detaining dissidents?
If the government is planning to arrest us, as rumored, than we welcome it open heartedly. We are ready for being arrested. But that is not the way to address the issue.
UCPN Maoist and other parties are looking forward to bring your alliance in CA by offering 26 seats. How do you take the plan?
We are agitating against the present process of holding CA elections. Expressions of giving 26 seats to us through the cabinet is an insult of our stance and revolution. It is definite that we wont be joining this process at any cost. If we are participate than it will be only after the change of the process.
Why do you think your demands and concerns were not addressed?
We have been kept out of the CA election process because all the three major political parties of loosing elections. UCPN Maoist thought that we would win it and Nepali Congress and CPN UML feared our re-union and consequent victory in the CA elections.
Amid your protest programs, Bomb blast incidents have increased?
We don’t have any information about these bomb blasts. We are in peaceful protests.
Then who is after these blasts?
Its obvious for agitated citizens and cadres to resort to vandalism and rebellion. The government and major parties invited all these and they should take the sole responsibility.
Prachanda thanked your protests programs?
Prachanda deceived the nation and its people. He has superseded the erstwhile reactionaries in deception. He now belongs to the reactionary brotherhood.
Foreigners interest in election and protest has soared up. How do you access it?
Foreigners don’t have the right to comment or criticize on Nepal’s internal affairs. We don’t need anyone’s advice or suggestions, we are capable to resolve our own problems.———————————————————
Interview Translated and Edited by Chitra Raj Bhandari. Read the Nepali Version of Mohan Baidya’s Interview here.
Mohan Baidya and his party, CPN Maoist, led 33 political parties alliance has been on the streets to foil the government’s and the major political parties’ effort to hold Constituent Assembly member elections. The alliance has presently launched 10-day nationwide transportation strike and other agitation programs to disrupt the CA elections slated for Nov 19. Nepali Reporter’s Rishi Dhamala recently spoke to this man, who among others is credited for launching the decade long Maoist insurgency, on issues surrounding CA elections and his alliance’s future plans. Excerpts:
How do you apprise the success of your agitations? Is the nation moving towards confrontation?
The ‘set-up’ CA that the government intends to form without including us, a major part of the peace process, cannot deliver the constitution. This will intensify conflict rather than fostering peace.
We have been looking forward in a peaceful manner but the government has presented itself aggressively. Even though I made a call for talks to resolve political differences, the government and major political parties neglected it and resorted to suppression. There is still time to save the nation from going into confrontation. I request the civil society, journalist, political parties and the government to take initiatives for consensus. Current situation can be resolved only through political means and I would like to request all concerned to take measures from their end to resolve this situation.
Do you think there are chances for consensus at the threshold of CA elections?
Consensus is national necessity. It is the only means to conclude the peace process. Therefore I request for taking the road dialogues and consensus.
What will your alliance do if the CA elections are heeding to your demands?
Our concern is avert from holding CA elections without garnering consensus. Because such a CA cannot deliver constitution. However, if the government and political parties push it through, our future strategy will depend on how the government presents itself. It is certain that our strategy will be different, if our demands are trampled.
Your power show on transportation seems feeble?
The state, all political parties are all confronting us. The 33 party alliance is confronting the rest of them and this might be effect that gives the impression of feeble transportation strike call.
So are you going to pull out the strike?
I have reiterated it many times that strikes and agitation is a forced choice for us. We understand the troubles that the general public has face due to it, but we request to understand our compulsion. Our agitation will continue and become even intense unless the state responds to our demands. The ongoing transportation will continue.
Will a feeble protest like this fulfill your alliance’s demands?
We are looking plan to review the existing scenario and launch even stern agitation programs. We wont pull out unless our demands are addressed by the state.
But the government is hell bent on holding CA elections, even by detaining dissidents?
If the government is planning to arrest us, as rumored, than we welcome it open heartedly. We are ready for being arrested. But that is not the way to address the issue.
UCPN Maoist and other parties are looking forward to bring your alliance in CA by offering 26 seats. What is your opinion?
We are agitating against the present process of holding CA elections. Expressions of giving 26 seats to us through the cabinet is an insult of our stance and revolution. It is definite that we wont be joining this process at any cost. If we are participate than it will be only after the change of the process.
Why do you think your demands and concerns were not addressed?
We have been kept out of the CA election process because all the three major political parties of loosing elections. UCPN Maoist thought that we would win it and Nepali Congress and CPN UML feared our re-union and consequent victory in the CA elections.
Amid your protest programs, Bomb blast incidents have increased?
We don’t have any information about these bomb blasts. We are in peaceful protests.
Then who is after these blasts?
Its obvious for agitated citizens and cadres to resort to vandalism and rebellion. The government and major parties invited all these and they should take the sole responsibility.
Prachanda thanked your protests programs?
Prachanda deceived the nation and its people. He has superseded the erstwhile reactionaries in deception. He now belongs to the reactionary brotherhood.
Foreigners interest in election and protest has soared up. How do you access it?
Foreigners dont have the right to comment or criticize on Nepal’s internal affairs. We don’t need anyone’s advice or suggestions, we are capable to resolve our own problems.
———————————————————
Interview Translated and Edited by Chitra Raj Bhandari. Read the Nepali Version of Mohan Baidya’s Interview here.