Prachanda faces revolt from partymen seeking Communist Rep

Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Oct 20 (PTI) Nepal's first post-monarchy Prime
Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda," who is committed to
the continuation of a multi-party democracy in the country is
facing revolt from his party men, a majority of whom favour
establishment of a one party Communist Republic.

Prachanda, who has the backing of another party stalwart
Finance Minister Baburam Bhattarai is facing stiff opposition
from senior Maoist ideologue Mohan Vaidya, who is supported by
other powerful leaders within the erstwhile underground party.

A trial of strength seems to be in the offing in the
upcoming first ever Maoist National Party Convention beginning
November 10, where Bhattarai's recent proposal to drop the
"Maoist" tag from the party name would be debated and decided.

Apparently, wary of moves by a powerful section of his
own party, Prachanda is trying to make up with opposition
Nepali Congress, an ardent supporter of multi-party system.

Prachanda, with the support of Bhattarai has sought aid
from international donors, including U.S.A., by committing to
pursuing a liberal market economy and promote private
investment.

Meanwhile, senior leader Vaidya presented a paper aiming
to establish a People's Republic similar to that of Cuba and
North Korea during the recently concluded central committee
meeting of the party, insiders said, adding that an
overwhelming majority favoured the leader.

Central member Matrika Yadav, a strong supporter of
Vaidya, said nobody in the C.P.N.-Maoist is in favour of a
parliamentary system.

"We want to establish People's Parliament instead of
Parliament," he told PTI.

He also rejected the proposal to change the party's name
by omitting the word "Maoist" from it.

The Communist ideologues Bhattarai and Vaidya also differ
sharply over the issue of working policy of the party,
according to political analyst and journalist Pralhad Rijal.

While Bhattarai has endorsed Parliamentary democracy,
periodic election, market economy, foreign investment and
private sector involvement, Vaidya's policy favours
establishment of Communist Republic and controlled economy.

Prachanda, who was considered close to Vaidya in the
past, has now moved closer to Bhattarai's line and openly
extended support to his idea of omitting 'Maoist' from the
party name, Rijal said.

Prachanda, who led the decade-long armed struggle against
monarchy, now faces the threat of being reduced to minority
within his party's rank and file, with Vaidya wanting to write
the new constitution in line with the principle of "People's
Republic."

There is likelihood that Prachanda's line of continuing
with the present multiparty democracy may not be endorsed
during the party's national workers' meeting slated for
November 10, independent observers said.

If the meeting passed Vaidya's proposal of establishing a
People's Republic, Prachanda will be reduced to minority in
the party, they pointed out.

However, party insiders said the premier, is trying to
woo activists from the other camp.

Analysts have also said that the latest development
within the C.P.N.-Maoist has brought arch rivals Prachanda and
Nepali Congress president Koirala closer.