Miscellaneous
Naya Shakti close to unveiling party, ideology
The Naya Shakti Nepal, led by former prime minister and Maoist ideologue Baburam Bhattarai, is set to officially announce the party and make its political ideology and economic policy public. Having been registered with the Election Commission, preparations for its formal announcement are under way, according to leaders.The Naya Shakti Nepal, led by former prime minister and Maoist ideologue Baburam Bhattarai, is set to officially announce the party and make its political ideology and economic policy public. Having been registered with the Election Commission, preparations for its formal announcement are under way, according to leaders.
The party has called a three-day gathering of cadres from June 12, which will publicise the party structure and ideology. “We are in the final stage of announcing a new party which will be an alternative political force,” said Naya Shakti senior leader Devendra Poudel. The party has announced a month-long campaign to build its organisation in the villages and municipalities. “We are distributing membership at the grassroots and building up the party,” said Poudel.
Naya Shakti has intensified the process of forming its sister wings such as of civil servants, college teachers and students. A dispute has erupted over the formation of sister wings in colleges and universities. Some leaders are of the view that academic institutions should not be politicised while others argue that this is the best way to strengthen the party’s base.
The new political force has started hitting the streets raising public issues. Recently, the party organised a protest in Kathmandu demanding action against those engaged in black marketeering. The Naya Shakti is also preparing to support the movement of the Madhes-based parties. Bhattarai is for two provinces in Tarai\Madhes, as demanded by the Madhes-based parties.
“The demands of Madhesis and Tharus regarding [state] demarcation are right. The voices of the people should be addressed through constitutional amendment,” Bhattarai said at a programme organised in Janakpur on Monday.
The Naya Shakti plans to take part in the elections at the Centre, local level and provinces. The new party has already launched its ‘Clean Kathmandu, Green Kathmandu’ campaign to make the Capital pollution-free. The party plans to launch another campaign to control corruption. It has already decided not to force people and organisations for donations.