KATHMANDU: China has pitched in its concern over the growing political transition in Nepal with one of most powerful politician- UCPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. During his meeting with key Chinese politicians that included President Xi Jinping, he was asked to deploy measures to stabilize politics at the earliest among other issues.

Prachanda said that he found Chinese government concerned about the extending political transition in the country while adding that the issue dominated his 15 minutes dialogue with President Xi Jinping while talking to journalist in Kathmandu after returning from China on Saturday night.

Jinping while inquiring about the latest measures taken by Nepalese political parties to hold CA elections, had specially stressed on the need to end transition so that Nepal could move ahead economically. Though President Jinping was not reported to have shown any particular interest in the CPN Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya and other dissenting parties who have declined to participate in the proposed CA elections, lower rung of Chinese leaders did inquire about the confrontation between major political parties and CPN Maoist led group of 31 dissenting political partites, Prachanda said.

He said that he assuaged the Chinese concerns about the dissenting parties and about the repercussions stemming from the demand for ethnic federal states. While not elaborating on the nature of federalism that he assured to the Chinese leaders, Prachanda informed that the Chinese laid stress on forming a federal Nepal that has a powerful and stabilized central federal government system.

Maintaining cordial relationship with India and moving ahead jointly on issues of regional importance also were reported to be major discussions during the meetings. Prachanda said that the Chinese were keen on working closely with India to implement the 10MW Chisapani- Karnal Hydropower project and Lumbini Development Zone project.

Stating that economic development should be Nepal’s priority, Prachanda said that China has expressed more willingness of cooperating with the Indian side on many fronts in Nepal and in the region. He said that China has substantial amount of investments in India too and claimed that Chinese suggested Nepali politicians should also move ahead by working in close ties with both of its neighbor.

RISHI DHAMALA: United CPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal’s weeklong visit to our northern neighbor and world’s rising power China at a time when Nepal is at peak of its transition has been analyzed significantly by all sectors. The visit made in the capacity of not only as the Chairman of Nepal’s largest political party but also in the capacity as the Chairman of Interim Election Council, will have wider impact on political, diplomatic, economic and other national sectors. Each of these sector is presently mulling on the factors that paved way for Prachanda’s visit to China.

Soon after China-visit, Prachanda is slated to make an official visit to India also. And these series of visits to both of Nepal’s next door neighbor has even more significance. China and India have always been active partners in our development endeavors and witnesses of our people’s political and economic struggles. Prachanda’s announcement that these visits are aimed at establishing peace, stability and development in Nepal have been received positively.

China’s growing economic dominance across the world is strategically in favor of Nepal. There has been change of guard in Chinese Communist Party and its government and also in Prachanda’s party. Cordial relationship between both nation’s communist party’s leadership seems to impart extra significance to his visit while promising repercussions in national politics.

China new leadership has recognized Prachanda as the key leader in Nepal and this is justified by the official visit invitation. Prachanda too also has renovated diplomatic tradition of Nepalese politicians considering Nepal’s geo-political situation and power-balance relationship between powerful nations. In the past, Prachanda was the one to break the unwritten diplomatic tradition of Nepalese politician to make their official state visit to India first. He had started his official visit to China. The break-way seemed to have cost him dearly.

Though not connected apparently, he was forced to resign from the post due to ‘Katuwal scandal’. However he has quickly learned the lesson of not irking one neighbor to gain the favor of other. He has adopted the philosophy of establishing Nepal as a connecting bridge between both neighbors. Though he made his first visit to China, he has clearly mentioned that India visit will follow soon after that. The statement was indicative of his party’s ‘connecting bridge’ policy.
Nepal’s adherence to One China policy and restriction of use of Nepalese soil to threat China’s national integrity has been Beijing’s main concern. The Free Tibet activities, termed as ‘anti-Chinese’ by the Chinese activities and fueled by the Western nations in the name of human rights in Nepal, has been a concerning issue for the Chinese leadership. During the erstwhile CA, China was concerned with the presence of UNMIN and with the growing influence of European nations in the federalization of Nepal. China is concerned that ethnic federalism can weaken Nepal’s national integrity and sovereignty and it’s leaders and diplomats have always brought this issue to the attention of Nepalese politicians.

India too has also expressed similar concerns as its own internal security is also connected to Nepal’s stability. Common concerns on core security issues have brought India and China on the same page. Well aware of these newly born circumstances, Prachanda is sure to assuage concerns of both nations during his visits. Needless to say, ethnic federalism will be Beijing’s main concern and Prachanda will be assuaging these concern.

China’s adoption of socialist capitalism and its corresponding growth seems to have enchanted Prachanda too. His call to Nepali youths to involve in industrial growth seems to have derived from the socialist-capitalism. The stress also indicated the shift of Maoist stress on economic growth from solo politics. While its main objective remains on national development, the policy to involve youths in economic activities will also be imperative in assuaging ethnic federalist demands, as youths will be focused on economic activities. And China has hinted to help Nepal in implementing this strategy.

Though these visits might pave way for bringing both neighbors on the same page, bringing internal dissenting political forces that includes some specialized ethnic federal forces, remains an uphill task for the Maoist supremo and his major political party counterparts.

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Translated/Edited by: Chitra Raj Bhandari

UCPN Maoist Puspa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has been in the limelight for the recent years for coming up with ideas and strategies. Since the demise of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Prachanda has dominated Nepali politics to the extent that the proposal of forming the incumbent Chief Justice led government was also his. This former rebel leader has been invited Chinese President Xi Jinping officially. Given Jinping’s recent comment to build close relationship with neighboring nations and his invitation to Prachanda has been read significantly by observers. Before heading to Beijing on Sunday, Prachanda spoke to Nepalireporter’s Rishi Dhamala on issues that his visit will be prioritizing. Here are the excerpts:

What is the objective of this visit?

This visit will be different than my previous visits to China. Instead of political affairs, during this visit discussions will center on economic front, areas of China-Nepal cooperation, India-China relationship, and Indo-Nepal cooperation. Along with that economic cooperation for helping Nepal pass through the transition will be another priority area.

Is your visit political or economical?

It is obvious to have China’s cooperation in holding Constituent Assembly (CA) elections and drafting of the new constitution. My agenda’s will concentrate on ensuring Nepal’s economic development. China has positioned itself as the second economic power and as a neighbor its contribution in our development activities and initiatives should be more. Priority areas for this are mega projects like the West Seti Hydropower, Pokhara Airport, and other projects include railway extension till Kathmandu, middle-mountain roadway, Kathmandu Metro Railway, Herbs and Medicene processing, and other afro-related projects which includes China’s advanced hybrid-rice seedling technology.

Whom are you going to hold discussions with?

The scheduled is yet not ascertained. But I am expecting to hold discussions with key Chinese politicians. I will be first addressing a meet of South Asian intellectuals in Chengdu. Than after i will head for Beijing where i will hold discussions with Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping. After discussions I will be visiting special Chinese economic zones and will return home via Hong Kong.

Is this party or a national consensus visit?

I am heading for China as the Coordinator of Interim Electoral Council and thus represent the view of Nepali government and those of the major political parties. This is a official state visit and my efforts will concentrate on making it advantageous for Nepal in the days ahead.

What is the political significance?

It is obvious for our neighbors to have a stable neighborhood. We are preparing to hold fresh CA elections to draft a new constitution. This visit will try to garner support from our neighbor for both of this endeavor which will end our transition and bring stability.

Is India visit also on the cards?

I am in regular consultations with the Indian embassy in Kathmandu. Theoritically I will heading for India on a weeklong visit at the end of this month. However a date for the visit has not been ascertained so far. It might be in the last week of April or first week of May. That visit will also be different in the way that it will also center on eon comic agendas more than political. Both China and India are serious about Nepal’s development and I am looking forward to come up with projects in which both of these neighbors can work together. Such a project will help in creating a mutually beneficial relationship with these nations.

Nepal has so far not succeeded in balancing both nations. What are your plans?

I am planning to create environment in which both nations could work together in Nepal. It is important because conflict between their interests in Nepal is not beneficial for us. tilting towards any one of them at the cost of another cannot work anymore. Its time for us to learn from both of our neighbors to develop a prosperous nation. In the past there was a trend of using one neighbor against another, its time to end that.

KATHMANDU: Chairman of Nepal’s UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal left for Nepal’s northern neighbouring country China today for a weeklong trip at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The former Prime Minister is accompanied by his wife Sita, personal secretaries Chudamani Khadka and Santu Darai, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Dan Bahadur Malla.

Earlier, Maoist party’s spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota had said that Chairman Dahal’s visit would focus on economic issues more than political.

Dahal is expected to meet top Chinese officials including President, Prime Minister and other leaders of the Communist Party of China.

KATHMANDU: Beside government pledge to provide Rs 6 million to the horrendous Badarmude victims, the former rebel party UCPN (Maoist) today decided to extend Rs 6 million to the victims from the party’s coffer.

A meeting of the party’s top leaders held today took a decision to that end after some disgruntled persons came heavily upon the UCPN (Maoist) for neglecting the victims’ pleas.

After the meeting, UCPN (Maoist) leader Amik Sherchan said the party would dole out Rs 6 million from the party’s coffer that is saved from the party’s recently held seventh national convention. The UCPN (Maoist) had collected Rs 5,000 each from nearly 3500 national convention representatives.

A total of 38 persons had died while over 70 had sustained injuries after the former rebels planted an ambush targeting a bus.

DHADING: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda today said that the parties are expediting their steps to form an election government by March 7 under the leadership of sitting Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

Earlier, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav had said that formation of the new government prior to Supreme Court’s verdict was unlikely.

Prachanda said the new government would be formed within one or two days by removing legal and constitutional hindrances to pave a way for the CJ-led government.

“Plans are afoot to handover government leadership of Khil Raj Regmi (CJ) within one/two days by removing hindrances,” Prachanda said at a program in Dhading today.

He also revealed that four major political parties have agreed in all nitty-gritty and only signing of the deal is left.

KATHMANDU: The CPN-Maoist has taken exception to the UCPN (Maoist)’s dilly-dallying to share party’s property with the CPN-Maoist–the most hardliner community party in the country.

Meeting with the UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ this morning, chairman of CPN-Maoist Mohan Baidhya expressed their objection saying that the UCPN (Maoist) was not implementing the earlier agreed issues on property sharing.

The leaders and cadres of both the parties had clashed in many districts over the issue of property sharing, mostly the party offices at the central and district-level.

Top leaders of the CPN-Maoist including Chairman Baidhya had reached the residence of Prachanda this morning.

The police have arrested some cadres of the CPN-Maoist from Chitwan district over the same issues.