National
CPN-Maoist demands national unity government
The Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist has demanded a new national unity government incorporating forces in and outside the Constituent Assembly (CA).The party’s first national gathering that concluded on Monday also agreed to stick to its former position that the CA should be dissolved to promulgate new constitution through all-party political conference. It announced a series infinite protests coinciding with the January 22 deadline of the CA to exert pressure for such conference. Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the party said it will launch nationwide demonstrations and general strike from January second week.
Party Chairman Baidya said the CA should be dissolved as it is sponsored by national and international powers. “We should form a powerful assembly to replace the CA,” he said, adding that the conference should settle the contentious issue of the constitution writing process. Leaders said the national gathering has once again endorsed political document on “New People’s Revolution” presented by Baidya.
Senior party leaders, including Vice-Chairman CP Gajurel, General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and Secretary Dev Gurung, extended unanimous support to the document. The party also urged Netra Bikram Chand faction to rejoin the party by correcting past mistakes.
CPN-M Spokesperson Pampha Bhusal said the gathering agreed on a need of broader alliance among the leftist and nationalist forces. She said the party is open to form a working alliance with like-minded forces for protest. She, however, clarified the planned unity with other Maoist parties including Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led UCPN (Maoist), Matrika Yadav-led CPN (Maoist) and Mani Thapa led CPN-Revolutionary look unlikely for the time being due to long standing ideological differences.
The party also urged the government to control inflation and ensure availability of essential goods. Other demands of the party include scrapping power trade agreement, power development deal and “unequal” treaties with India, ensuring transparent land distribution to the landless and creating job opportunities.
The party’s gathering also appealed the government to withdraw criminal charges against most of its cadres arrested during Maoist insurgency and second CA election.