Proposal to turn UCPN (M) into mass party Dahal’s paper for party plenum

KATHMANDU, JUL 07 -
Apparently impressed by an influx of leaders and cadres from other parties, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal wants to convert his party into a mass-based political entity.

In his political document to be presented at the party’s plenum scheduled to begin on July 19, Dahal, according to leaders, has proposed converting the cadre-based party into a mass-based force. Dahal’s proposal is likely to trigger a fresh debate as there are divergent views regarding how the party should be constituted.

Some say that converting the UCPN (M) into a mass-based party will erode its communist ideals, while others argue that it is natural as they are going to create a new communist party in Nepal.

However, the management of cadres in terms of their survival and allocating party responsibilities to them has been disputed. Many of the party cadres have already defected expressing reservations about the organisational and ideological differences.

“Though the party represents the proletariat class, we want to convert it to a mass-based force,” said party spokesman Agni Sapkota. Several leaders, however, say the party should retain its cadre-based structure.

In the recent months, the UCPN (M) is getting leaders and cadres from other parties, as well as many “apolitical” individuals.

The party is mulling over holding a special general convention after the Constituent Assembly polls if the plenum fails to resolve the organisational dispute.

“Discussions are under way at the top level for holding a special general convention for settling the dispute,” said Sapkota. The party held its general convention after 22 years in February. The party is struggling to form a number of committees ever since.

The intra-party bickering aggravated after one of its vice-chairmen, Baburam Bhattarai, gave up his post last week. The party is still undecided on how to fill the vacant positions in the party.

Bhattarai reasons that he stepped down to initiate a practice of sacrifice in the party and to resolve the dispute regarding appointments to the party committees. But his move has only complicated the matter.

Labels: News