In an uncharacteristic public outburst against a neighboring country, Pushpa Kamal Dahal devoted most of his over half hour long speech to the India theme. Addressing thousands of party supporters at the culmination of the third phase of their protest program at the capital´s New Baneshwar Tuesday, Dahal said, “Why talk to puppets here in Nepal?” Amidst loud cheers and applause from supporters, he said “I have no energy for talks with the leaders of the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.”
Referring to a Maoist insurgency-period remark of his that he would speak only to the master (then king Gyanendra) and not to his servants (political parties), the Maoist chief said, referring to India, “Now the talks will only be with the malik (master).”
Justifying his call for direct talks with the master, i.e. India, Dahal complained that several rounds of talks with the NC and the UML have failed to yield any result as their “puppet” government was dancing to India´s tune.
- Indian “naked interference" in Nepal´s internal affairs
- Indian army chief has no right to speak against integration
- Nepali Congress and CPN-UML “puppets” of India
- Talks only with India
- Fifth-phase protest if demands not met within month
Tuesday´s address came on the third day of the nationwide aam hartal (general strike) which also marked the end of the third phase of protest by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). The party started its protest to “correct” the president´s move (blocking the Maoist government´s dismissal of the last army chief) and establish “civilian supremacy”. The party later added a demand for the formation of a national unity government under its own leadership.
Dahal outlined five agenda items for talks with India including annulment of the 1950 Treaty and inking of a new treaty in its place, disclosure of all secret treaties reached between the two countries in the past, and transit facilities for land-locked Nepal. Resolution of border disputes including Susta, eviction of the Indian army from the Kalapani area and development of a new strategic outline for Nepal in the context of India and China emerging as economic superpowers are also in the agenda he set for the talks.
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Dahal slams Indian army chief for remark
Dahal referred to reported remarks by Indian army chief Gen Dipak Kapoor against integration of “politically indoctrinated” Maoist troops in the national army. Kapoor allegedly made the remarks during his meeting with Nepal´s army chief Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung.
Dahal said such remarks by the Indian army chief were ´naked interference´ in Nepal´s affairs as the UN has been working in Nepal to accomplish the task of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants. “Who gave him (Kapoor) the right to speak against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement?” he asked. “What can be more shameful…and more insulting to the Nepali people?”
The Maoist party chief expressed surprise that neither the government nor any political party in Nepal had spoken out against Kapoor´s remarks. “What kind of government is this?
Dahal objected to Nepal seeking weapons from India. “Why do we need billions of rupees worth of weapons now? Even before completing the integration (of Maoist combatants into the national army)? Will these weapons be used against the Nepali people?”
He drew the attention of the international community to his party´s “commitment to peace”.
CA can´t be dissolved after May 28, 2010
Maoist Chairman Dahal argued that the Constituent Assembly would not be dissolved even if it failed to draft a new constitution by the stipulated deadline of May 28, 2010. He argued that there was no provision in the Interim Constitution for this, and dismissed it as an argument of the rightist elements within the NC.
He claimed that conspiracies are being hatched by henchmen of the former king and some sections of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML leaderships to dissolve the CA and impose presidential rule.
Dahal reiterated that there was no alternative to concluding the peace process according to the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). “Else, the people will draft the constitution on their own,” he added.
Making a reference to article 36 (c) and 82 of the Interim Constitution, Maoist Vice-Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai argued that there is no provision to dissolve the elected Constituent Assembly even if it fails to draft the constitution by the stipulated date. He said that there will be no valid institution left including the president if the CA is dissolved.
Indefinite strike from January 24
Dahal announced a month-long fourth phase of protests for “civilian supremacy”. That protest would be about “national awareness” and also an exposure campaign. “If the movement does not lead to correction of the president´s move and formation of a national unity government, the party would launch a nationwide indefinite strike from January 24,” he said.
Dahal, Bhattarai ask security personnel to disobey
Dahal and Bhattarai asked security personnel from the Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police not to take orders from the current “puppet” government and support the Maoist movement instead.
Bhattarai issued a veiled threat to the security personnel. “Tomorrow the leaders of this puppet government will flee the country,” he said. “Where will you go then? You will have to stay here.”
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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