10-16 January 2014 #689

Three things

Baburam Bhattarai, Facebook, 6 January 

Every time I talk about the state of democracy in Nepal and within the Maoist party, reports begin circulating in the media which imply that I raise these issues for personal interest. First of all I would like to say these ‘reports’ are not only slanderous, but based on rumours and hearsay.

Second, at this point the national discourse should be centred solely on institutionalising democratic values and the rule of law and ensuring that they are properly enforced. This is not the time to be thinking about individual gains or running after lucrative posts. Let everyone recall that I have been talking about restructuring our party and developing a new, relevant kind of democracy for a long, long time. 

Third, whenever there are important political and ideological discussions, status-quoist elements in our society try to derail the discourse and start hatching various conspiracy theories. Therefore I request everyone, including the press, not to take part in such unprincipled, apolitical, and immoral activities and instead help promote a healthy political debate so that we can cultivate a democratic culture in our country.