There is speculation that the election might not be held, given the many dissenting voices. Will the election be held as planned?
The election has been announced for November 19 and will be held. The dissenting voices must be given serious consideration and we must make them understand the usefulness of the democratic exercise. But if their intention is to foil the democratic process then they will lose significance in Nepali politics.
You said more than once in New Delhi that the Maoist party is not a political party. Why?
The Maoists are an ultra-left force and not a democratic force in the modern sense. In that sense only the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are democratic parties in Nepal, not the Maoists.They are still an unstable force.We are trying to change an extremist force into one that is truely democratic.
But the Seven-Party Alliance signed the 12-Point Agreement with the Maoists and their party emerged as the largest after the CA polls. Did the Maoists not embrace a multiparty system then?
I am one of those who drafted the 12-Point Agreement in the presidential suite of the Le Meridian hotel and I am here now right in front of you. It was not crafted by the Maoists; rather it was part of our peaceful struggle. The Maoists were and are still following the path of violence. It was the SPA which decided to work together with them on an understanding rather than finish them off. The Maoists have still not renounced violence nor adopted peaceful politics.
How will the UML perform in the CA poll?
We will emerge as the largest party and, along with the Nepali Congress, secure a two-thirds majority. This has to happen. Otherwise the constitution will not be written.
India has been inviting senior leaders from Nepal lately. Prachanda came in May and NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has just concluded a six-day visit. Have you been invited as well?
No.
Has your party chairman, Jhalanath Khanal, received such an invitation?
No, not to my knowledge.
What do you think about these visits? Is India trying to check the caliber of our leaders?
I have not spoken to either Prachanda or Deuba about their visits. But I would think these visits are to discuss the political situation in Nepal.
Did you meet any Indian leaders in New Delhi this time?
Meeting some friends is a routine affair and nothing new for us.
Prachanda spoke about trilateral cooperation between India, Nepal and China. Do you think it will materialise?
Nepal has to move ahead taking both its neighbours - India and China -- into confidence. We must all move ahead together. But Prachanda has neither the mandate nor the position to represent Nepal and all the political parties. He spoke in China and in India as if he was speaking for all of us. We will not give any recognition to this self-styled representation at this point.
You said at a gathering yesterday that there is a growing influence of Christianity in Nepal. Can you elaborate?
An attempt is being made to disrupt communal harmony in Nepal. Some NGOs and INGOs want to undo our social fabric in a planned manner. A lot of money is being poured into Nepal for spreading Christianity. I am not against any religion though I have no religion myself. But what is happening is against our societal order.
The issue of Dalits, Janjatis, indigenous people, Madhesis and other marginalized groups has emerged as an important agenda. How will you address this if you obtain a position of power?
The issue of marginalized communities is being raised artificially without understanding Nepali history. How can Western countries talk about the indigenous issue in a country which had an indigenous man as speaker and has Madhesis as president and vice-president. This is an attack on our civilisation. In addition, it was the communist party which raised the issue of inequality and discrimination in Nepal for the first time. Why should outsiders be teaching us and showing disrespect for our efforts?
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