First of all why did you leave CPN-UML, a party you have been associated for such a long time?
It’s a long story. But primarily, it was over differences on the issue of federalism. I hold CPN-UML responsible for the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly. On May 27, the Speaker (Subas Chandra Nembang) who was from CPN-UML either did not want to or was not allowed to start CA procedures, which led to the assembly’s dissolution without a constitution. The party must take responsibility for this grave mistake. When I expressed this view in the UML politburo meeting, those present found it hard to argue against my case.
PHOTO: KESHAB THOKER
But the party leadership always tried to divert attention away from the genuine issues I raised, including those on federalism. In recent times, the party establishment hadn’t given me any important responsibly, even as my voice was being consistently sidelined. It was then that I decided to part ways after consulting with my friends and well-wishers.
Many believe you joined UCPN (Maoist) as you saw no electoral prospects with UML. Is that the case?
I decided to join the Maoists after their seventh general convention in Hetauda, where I witnessed the Maoist party’s evolution into a democratic force. They have formally abandoned violence and vowed to stand by basic democratic norms. After the convention, I started to feel that the gaps between UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML had narrowed down significantly. UML’s philosophy of ‘people’s multiparty democracy’ (janatako bahudaliya janabad) is very close to the current working philosophy of UCPN (Maoist). Besides, as someone who has dedicated his whole life to the communist movement, I could not join a non-communist party. This was also a factor.
As someone who was closely involved in shaping the federalism debate inside UML, what is your view on the issue as pertains to Madhesh?
I have been saying all along that provinces in Madhesh should be decided on the basis of language. On that basis, I had proposed Tharuwan, Bhojpura, Awadh, Mithila and Birat/Kochila states. But I had also said during the federalism debate inside the party that we should not be rigid. If two or more language groups are ready to voluntarily accommodate themselves in the same state, we should be flexible on that. Principally, UML had accepted my proposal to provinces on the basis of language. But then UML leadership created a new controversy by agreeing to the formation of a single mass-based sister Madhesi organization.
The Lontantrik Madhesi Sangathan had the ambit over the entire Tarai belt. This proposal was a roundabout way of endorsing the One-Madhesh-One-Pradesh model. This gave rise to great contradictions within the party. The Sangathan endorsed the One Madhesh agenda and started propagating the lie that Ram Chandra Jha was against Madhes. The party leadership didn’t utter a word in my defense.
During the ceremony marking your formal entry into the Maoist party, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal spoke of a ‘new trend’ in Madhesi politics. What was he hinting at?
The differences over which I quit CPN-UML are the reflections of the sentiments of all those who have been discriminated against and marginalized within the party. If you look at Middle Tarai (Bhojpura, Mithila, etc), the Maoists did not perform so well there during the last CA polls. The results this time will be the exact opposite. In the coming days, the number of Madhesis wanting to join the Maoist party would be so large that Chairman Prachanda or vice-chairman Bhattarai would be hard pressed to find time to welcome them all. Mark my word: In the future there will be 30,000-strong rallies where former UML cadres will announce their collective allegiance to the Maoists. There were thousands who wanted to leave the party with me.
Let us see how UML leadership will stem this tide. UML chief Jhalanath Khanal has been saying that taking out a cup of water from an ocean would make no difference. He forgets that Agastha rishi slurped down an entire ocean in one gulp. Note this down: Of the 800,000 votes CPN-UML got in Madhesh in last CA polls, they will lose at least half.
How do you assess the likelihood of Maoist alliance with Madhesi parties in upcoming polls?
I have many disagreements with the Madhes-based parties. Take the issue of language. They try to impose the Hindi language on entire Madhesh. I am not opposed to Hindi language per se. But around a billion people speak Hindi in India alone. It really does not matter whether people like me stand up for it. But if we don’t promote our mother tongues like Maithali, they will be endangered.
There might be alliance on the larger issue of identity-based federalism. Alliances on nitty-gritty, like division of provinces, will be harder. The question is: How do we proceed by accommodating the demands of other communities like Bahuns, Chhetries, dalits and janajatis? Their aspirations will have to be respected. Federalism is synonymous with compromise. Thus there can be no east-to-west federalism with a single state spanning the entire country.
How would you evaluate overall Madhesi politics ahead of CA polls?
Madhesi politics so far has been power-oriented. When in power, leaders from Madhesi parties put all the important Madhesi issues on the backburner, but soon as they are out of government, they hit the streets vowing to uphold genuine Madhesi concerns. They want self-rule, but never talk about good governance. They discuss federal state structure, but do not bother about local level governance. Like I said, I am not convinced by the aggressive style of politics of the so-called Madhesi parties. Their politics of hatred have in the past created great divides between communities. The pain of all the people who have been discriminated against, be they Madhesis, dalits, janajatis or Pahadis, is the same. Second, I believe the issue of federalism should be decided in a way that does not compromise with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
Related story
Manchester City's ban from European football overturned - CAS
