Nepal: Maoists Call of State Wide Strike- A Tactical Retreat: Update N0. 224

NEPAL: Maoists Call off State-Wide Strike- A Tactical Retreat: Update No. 224

By Dr. S. Chandrasekharan.

The Maoists ( UCPN -M) called off their statewide strike on the 8^th- ( seventh day of protests) on the ground that their strike had caused considerable difficulty to the general people as if they were not aware of this when they started the strike. They added very weakly later that the "protests" will continue!

The party officially gave three reasons for calling off their strike.

1. People faced hardship.

2. The decision was based on the demand of the people from various walks of life.

3. To put an end to the conspiracy to instigate confrontation among the people.

The last reason given is an indirect admission that people will not accept an indefinite strike as there were increasing incidents of clashes and open defiance. It was not a state wide strike either as the people in Terai made sure that markets were open and at many places the striking Maoists were attacked. In Birgunj, the tents in which the Maoists were staying were set fire to.

It was only on 6^th that the standing committee of the Maoists decided to continue and intensify the strike only to reverse its position within 48 hours!

But what turned the tide was the massive peace rally organised by the people of Kathmandu on the previous day (7th of May). Over 20,000 people assembled at Basantpur to call on the political parties to reach a consensus.

The rally was organised by- PAPAD- Professional Alliance for Peace & Democracy that included various organisations like Nepal Bar Association, FNCCI Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Nepal Teachers Association, National and Private Schools organisation, Nepal Medical Association, HURON- the Human rights organisation of Nepal civil society leaders, media persons and professors. In fact people of all walks of life freely participated in the peace rally.

Yet the Maoist cadres attacked some of the processions going towards the venue of the rally. One particular ugly incident was the attack on the procession by Maoists cadres with bricks, sticks, nailed wires and other weapons. 24 persons were injured.

Having driven their cadres to a frenzy, the Maoist leaders had a tough time to explain their sudden withdrawal. This morning Prachanda served a "two day" ultimatum. He said that the strike was only a "rehearsal" and that they will come up with a more stern programme. The party will not start a dialogue with the government and that the latter should on its own show some result and that they will wait and watch.

In an apparent call to the disappointed cadres, he said that the party has not stopped the movement but had only changed the course of the struggle.

The coalition partners of the government welcomed the decision of the Maoists and requested them to withdraw all protest programmes and sit for a dialogue. They also expressed their gratitude to those who peacefully opposed the strike and showed support.

A few observations on this week long strike are in order.

* By withdrawing the strike, the Maoists have made a very practical but a tactical move in saving their image and for Prachanda this move has saved his position. It is hoped that they realise that "bandha" (strike) is not a solution.

* The Government reacted in a very correct and dignified manner. PM Madhav Nepal was always open to discussions and he did try his best to talk to the Maoists till the last day. He did not step down. The Police acted with remarkable restraint and did not give a "handle" to the protestors to intensify the strike. The Army stuck to the protection of installations and luckily there was no need for the army to be called out. A day prior to the withdrawal, it was decided to post the Army at the Singha Durbar as the protests were getting intensified at the headquarters of the government. The Maoists must have realised the consequences of getting the army involved.

* Defiance in many areas to protests must have surprised the Maoists. Retaliation by the activists of UML - the youth force in good measure is a serious development. The Tarun Dal of the Nepali Congress may follow suit in future.

* Despite a few aberrations and somersaults by some leaders of the parties, the 22 party coalition stood firm. Bamdev’s petition along with Sahana Pradhan of the UML to give in to the Maoists did not cut much ice with the rank and file of the party. The chairman of the party Jalanath Khanal did not come out well in the whole issue. Though he was openly supporting the party, he tried every means to undermine the leadership of the government.

* The Nepali Congress- particularly the triumvirate did not come out well either. Both Deuba and Paudel tried to outsmart each other in making contradictory statements. Latest is the statement by Paudel of an impending package deal that involves the removal of the current prime minister Madhav Nepal.

* Even some of the diplomats were "undiplomatic" in asking Madhav Nepal to step down privately. There was also a meeting of the representatives of the three main stream parties at the embassy of Norway on the 8^th. This is what that would happen when the ruling government is weak or is seen to be weak.

* The position of India was not clear to many on both sides of the border. There was public statement of the Indian Foreign Secretary showing support to the position taken by Prime Miniser Madhav Nepal. There was also another unverified information that Madhav Nepal was asked to make up with the Maoists at the Thimpu meeting. . It is known that the Indian Ambassador met Prachanda at the latter’s residence early in the morning on the 6^th. Some emissaries of the Maoists had come to Delhi to show that the Maoists are not really against India. Their tactics (not new but also followed by others too earlier) of public humiliation followed by private appeasement in dealing with India continued.

The real lesson that has to be learnt is that the people of Nepal cannot be taken for granted henceforth and it is for the Nepalese to decide their destiny. Ultimately only the people can mend the ways of power hungry, narrow minded and opportunistic politicians who are still running riot in Nepal.