NEPAL: Maoists Set to Take to the Streets to Topple the Government: Update No. 222

NEPAL: Maoists Set to Take to the Streets to Topple the Government: Update No. 222

By Dr. S. Chandrasekharan

Unless there is a last minute change of mind or a compromise, the Maoists are set to have an intensive, state wide, indefinite strike against the present government from May 2, 2010.

On 26^th April, Prachanda gave an ultimatum to the Madhav Nepal Government to resign by May 1^st and give way to national government to be led (of course) by the Maoists or face a state wide movement.

Prachanda said that his party had decided to go for an indefinite strike from May 2^nd to “topple the government.” (No diplomatic language or legalities involved- topple is the key word). He claimed that the demonstrations would be largely peaceful and non violent. But violence is not ruled out as the wording itself is clear.

Same day, Prime Minister Madhav Nepal responded with a statement that he is ready to quit office if the Maoists fully abide by the past agreements and be honest in the peace process and constitution drafting work. He offered to exercise utmost flexibility for peace, constitution and national consensus but will not compromise with any force insisting to impose terrorism and totalitarianism on the people of Nepal. He felt that it was wrong of the Maoist party to take to the streets on a personal issue like the Prime minister’s post.

The ten party coalition that included Nepali Congress, UML and the Terain parties met the same day and decided not to give in to the Maoists. The parties asked the government to take all measures to maintain peace and security. On 29^th Arjun Narsingh KC of Nepali Congress made it clear that the government will not step down and instead asked the Maoists to give up their “arrogance of weapons.”

The Maoists have been preparing for this massive show ever since their Politburo decided not to go for a no confidence motion against the government. It looks that Prachanda and Bhattarai were overruled by Kiran (Mohan Baidya) and Badal (Ram Bahadur Thapa) to go for a confrontation.

Maoists Cadres from neighbouring districts have already assembled in the outskirts of Kathmandu. Many have come all the way from Kavre Phulchowk, Nuwakot, Dhading, Ramechaap, Dolakha, Chitwan and Bardiya districts.

Many of the cadres who have come are staying in school buildings, company premises, abandoned buildings and industrial houses.

Forcible “donations” are being collected from all and sundry and particularly from the business houses and traders.

On 26^th, Police seized a truck carrying 600 sticks coming into Kathmandu. These were meant for the strike from May 2^nd.

On 29^th, Police recovered a huge cache of materials meant for making IEDs from a room in Mahakali Seti Hotel in Sundhara in Kathmandu. This included 400 litres of petrol for making petrol bombs.

For the last few days, the red capped Maoist cadres have been openly carrying out drills in Kathmandu City in the main thorough fares including the Durbar marg. There have been reports of Maoists cades taking training in use of Khukris, swords and sticks. On the military training being given, they have claimed that it is being given to the seniors who are meant to control their own cadres who will be assembling in thousands in the city.

Baburam Bhattarai has claimed that the nation wide strikes they are about to launch will be such a unique display of power that Nepal would not have witnessed before and this will be the “pick of all the movements of the last sixty years.” Taking a dig at India, he said that it will be “difficult to withstand the intensity of the stir for a government that was formed by the agency of foreign forces.”

The Police are taking no chances though they have very little strength at their disposal. The Defence Minister has made it clear that the Army can be deployed if the nation’s law and “nationality” were challenged.

The Civil society groups proved to be a disappointment again. The Maoists approached the group led by Padma Ratna Tuladhar to support them in their movement. Instead of asking them to give up the so called Jana Andolan Movement III, the leaders appealed to the Maoists to make the movement “peaceful” instead of asking them to seek a peaceful solution.

The movement is not going to be a repeat of earlier Jana Andolan movement II. It is not a people’s movement but a single party’s movement against all others and not the other way when all the parties joined together against the monarchy.

There is no doubt that there will be a huge show of force. The Maoists are trying to follow the “Bangkok” model with a sea of red all over the country and especially in Kathmandu.

They will also be willing to bring out great disruption all over the country. There will be limited violence. Otherwise, where was the need to bring in sticks and explosives to Kathmandu?

If the Maoists think that they could get away with “controlled violence,” they are mistaken. Most likely many of the elements in the party will try to use it to engineer violence and revolt. This will necessarily bring in the army and consequences could be very serious for the country as a whole.

It is hoped that the Maoists realise the seriousness of their acts in trying to bring down a government that still has a majority in the interim parliament, by force. Desperation should not lead to irresponsible acts. Let not the “Khara” incident of 2005 be repeated again! .