Consensus call leads to war of words

PM Dahal accuses GP Koirala of violating consensus politics first

Koirala says the politics of consensus has started from “today”

About 150,000 people throng the convention venue

Rajendra Mahato booed by the audience for speaking in Hindi

Oli says polarization -- leftist or rightist -- will lead UML to doom

UML leaders pledge a consolidated and strong party post-convention

‘Change in Nepal, an inspiration for South Asia’

BUTWAL, Feb 16: Though the 8th national convention of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) was dubbed as the “convention of unity” by the party leaders, sounds of differences were echoed among leaders of various political parties – especially Nepali Congress (NC) and Maoist – at the opening ceremony here on Monday. [break]

Asking the NC chief Girija Prasad Koirala to live up to his commitments, Prime Minister and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal accused the NC veteran of first violating the politics of consensus. “I want to thank him for saying that the politics of consensus has again begun from today,” said Dahal. “He has already violated the understanding to make the new constitution.”

PM Dahal, who spent about four hours in this town for the UML ceremony, said the NC had violated the politics of consensus by keeping a stance on “simple majority system” in the House. “We had said we’d go for a consensus.”

Echoing Koirala’s vow to honor the consensus politics again into the politics of unity, PM Dahal also called for a new unity among all political actors. “I want new unity with all political parties,” the PM told the mass of about 150,000 people, “to take on all the challenges facing the country”. UML had the target of bringing in about 300,000 people to the convention venue, Butwal Mandap, that is spread across 57,281 square meters of area.

PM Dahal also used the UML forum to caution the second largest partner in the five-party ruling coalition to not side with rightists. “Attempts are being made to woo UML into rightist camps,” warned Dahal. “I want to alert the UML not to be swayed by the rightists. I request UML not to engage in polarization by siding with rightists and counter-revolutionaries.

Later Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) leader Hridayesh Tripathi urged UML not to side with NC or Maoists. “Though both NC and Maoists tried their best to attract UML, my suggestion to UML is: don’t side with any of them because that is fraught with dangers.”

While wishing for the success of the UML convention “right from his heart”, PM Dahal said this is the convention of the whole nation. In an apparent bid to influence UML cadres, Dahal also talked highly about leftists’ unity.

Earlier, while addressing the convention, Koirala had told the convention, which was marked with various cultural performances, that he came to be a guest at the UML meet for renewed unity with other political parties. “I have understood that the politics of consensus and cooperation has begun from today,” he told the mass, amidst roaring applause.

The ailing leader also warned that the country may fall into the abyss of uncertainty if the current state of non-cooperation among the political parties persists for long. He however hoped that the new constitution will be prepared with political consensus. “Many problems have arisen,” he said, adding that the new constitution will be written despite the new problems.

Agreeing with Koirala, UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, who opened the convention by lighting a torch with a flame brought on foot earlier Monday from the birthplace of Lord Buddha (Lumbini), said he agreed with Koirala’s call to start the politics of renewed political unity. “I agree with Girijababu that there is the need of consensus among all the political parties. The understanding between you and us is the need of the hour,” said Khanal. “We are in this forum for this unity.”

Khanal said if the Maoists stopped violence, the inter-party relations could take a new turn and “a New Nepal could be realized within a few years”.

In reply to Khanal’s concerns that UML cadres had been continuously attacked by Maoists, PM Dahal complained about his personal secretary (Shakti Bahadur Basnet) being shot at. He questioned why UML didn’t condemn the attack on Basnet.

Leader of Rastriya Janashakti Party and former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Dipak Bohora, Rastriya Janamorcha leader Chitra Bahadur KC and CPN (United) leader Ram Singh Shrish raised their concern about the deteriorating security situation. “The security situation has gone out of control,” said Thapa. “The government lacks clarity on the nation’s main agendas.” A vocal critic of Maoists, KC asked UML to correct Maoists in the government, while stressing unity among leftist forces.

About 2000 “People’s Volunteers” of CPN-UML were involved in managing the convention venue, while hundreds of civilian and armed police personnel were on duty to ensure high security in the area.

UML leader Khanal didn’t attack any leader of his party in the opposing camp directly.

“Anarchism and groupism have emerged in the party,” said UML leader Khanal. “We want to throw anarchism and groupism into the (nearby) Tinau River and lead the party in a united manner.” He said the ongoing eighth convention will be the convention of “unity, ideology and progression”.

While stressing People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMD), senior UML leader KP Sharma Oli -- likely to challenge Khanal for the top party post of chairman, lunched scathing attack against Maoists, with whom Khanal is considered to be close.

“He (PM Dahal) is our guest here,” said Oli, referring to Dahal’s peace talks, “His (Dahal’s) reply to our general secretary (Khanal)’s concerns (about Maoist attacks on UML cadres) was not correct. Let’s not talk anything that’s fake. What happens when a cat that eats a lot of rats gives a speech in favor of vegetarianism?”

Oli said PMD was UML’s identity. While Khanal is in favor of making some changes in the PMD, Oli and ex-general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal (another likely contender for the top post) are opposed to it.

Oli also talked against any kind of polarization – be it leftist or rightist. “The so-called leftist polarization will lead us to doom,” said Oli. “The need of the day is consensus.”

Madhesi leaders for respect for their language, culture

After a Madhesi leader and Minister Rajendra Mahato was booed by the audience as he began his speech in Hindi, all other Madhesi leaders – Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav of (Madhesi People’s Rights Forum) and Hridayesh Tripathi of TMDP gave their speech in Nepal.

“Making a new Nepal is not possible in this manner,” Mahato said after the protest. “In a New Nepal, everybody should get their identity, access, equal representation and respect. Why do you reject a language if you accept federal structure?” A visibly irritated Mahato said things can’t work “this way”. Only after he started speaking in Nepali, the mass stopped hooting against him.

Later, Madhesi leader Yadav started their speech in Nepali language but expressed displeasure about what had happened to Mahato. “All must embrace the multi-lingual and multi-cultural policy,” said Yadav.

Tripathi said though Nepal was united geographically, it was never unified in true spirit. “Conspiracies are being hatched to do away with federalism.”

‘Change is Nepal, an inspiration for South Asia´

Mohammad Amin, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said the change brought out by the people in Nepal has been an inspiration for the region. “The change in Nepal has effects in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka,” said Amin, while giving his speech in Hindi. “It seems the wave (of change) has come to the region.”

Liu Hongcai, vice minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, lauded CPN-UML’s role in Nepal’s peace process and constitution writing process. He said UML had used Marxism in its own way.

The other foreign representative addressing the convention was from the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).

There were altogether 40 foreign representatives from 14 countries, who participated as guests at the UML convention.

tilak@myrepublica.com