CPN-M seeks to unite with allies

KATHMANDU, JAN 05 -
In a move to bolster its strength, the CPN-Maoist is making efforts to unite with its allies in the 33-party alliance it led in the anti-poll campaign.

The party, which recently declared its aim of bringing all the communist parties under one umbrella, has started holding talks with the CPN (Unified) and CPN (Revolutionary) in the initial phase. Leaders from both the sides said talks were heading towards a positive direction and the proposed unification plan will see the light of day once a few things are sorted out. CPN-R chief Mani Thapa said his party held two rounds of talks with the CPN-Maoist and hinted at progress.

“We are almost set to unite. We will declare the unification date after holding one more meeting to settle some issues,” said Thapa.

A leader from the CPN-U said there has been a mutual agreement for unification. The CPN-Maoist bid for unification follows the party’s recent Central Committee decision to bring scattered fringe communist parties under its umbrella. During the meeting, CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya said his party should be a pivotal force in the nation’s communist movement.

“The party’s ultimate target is to lead a communist movement in the country, bringing big and small communist parties under its umbrella or a forum. The forum would provide space even to the parties, who have ideological problems,” said CPN-Maoist leader Sudip Malla.

Besides merger attempts, the Baidya-led party is attempting to lure some disgruntled sections of the UCPN (Maoist) into its fold.

CPN-Maoist leaders claim that there are some hard-line leaders within the former rebel party, who have openly expressed dissatisfaction

with Dahal, especially after the party’s poor show in the Constituent Assembly polls.

Notwithstanding such efforts, many CPN-Maoist leaders say the party’s plan to tie up with other communist parties is ambitious.

Some of the challenges include the party’s apparent rejection of peaceful and parliamentary politics and enticing others with the philosophy of Mao.

“The ideological problem wouldn’t be a major bugbear as we have officially decided to unite with only like-minded forces. A working alliance will be forged with the rest despite out ideological differences to move together,” said CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung.

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