Pushpa Kamal Dahal, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman, talks about the need for the government and Election Commission to still aim to have elections in June
The last time Nepali Times interviewed UCPN(M) Pushpa Kamal Dahal was four years ago just after he had been elected prime minister, and the Maoist YCL attacked the Himalmedia office and physically assaulted the editor, CEO and other staff. This time Dahal was more relaxed, forthright and made eye contact as he answered questions from interviewers on everything from the TRC Bill to elections.
BIKRAM RAI
Not really. I am still learning the art of competitive politics and the dynamics of this process is still new to us. For ten years we were in a different struggle, and since then we have been in and out of government.
What do you like and dislike about this process?
It is fair to all since one has to prove oneself through competition. But the chronic power struggle, corruption and coalition crafting just to get to the government is flawed. Once a party accountable to the people is elected, it should be allowed to govern for full five years so it can get things done.
Our recent Himalmedia Public Opinion Poll shows that 60 per cent of the respondents also favour an executive presidential system.
It is the most appropriate system for our country which will soon have federalism. There has to be a strong unified centre to hold the centrifugal forces together. And that is best done through a directly elected president.
But there is a fear that an executive president may breed a dictator?
The only people saying that are the ones still held hostage by the status quo. Nowhere in the world has a directly elected presidential system ever led to a dictator. The UML and NC may be opposed to this idea, simply because it is our proposal.
You seem to have reached the conclusion that the Regmi government isn’t in a hurry to hold polls?
All I am saying is that the government should have announced the election date in June immediately after forming the cabinet, and let the Election Commission get on with the job of getting the logistics and laws in place.
Doesn’t it also prove that the parties have no confidence in a government they formed just three weeks ago?
When I had proposed a government under the leadership of the Chief Justice it was on conditions that elections should be held in June. Had the other parties gone along with that proposal earlier, it would have been possible to hold polls in June.
So the CJ idea was yours, or was it on advice of a neighbouring country?
This talk about the foreign hand stems from an inferiority complex. We had been in talks with both our neighbours along with America and Europe months about elections, but the CJ option wasn’t in the cards. When the parties refused to form a unity government under Baburam Bhattarai we decided to pass the leadership to the NC, but even that didn’t work so we decided to settle for an incumbent CJ-led government hoping it wouldn’t invite controversy. We put that to the neighbours, America and Europe and they also thought it was a good idea.
You were ready to hand over government leadership to Sushil Koirala, but it is said Baburam Bhattarai vetoed it?
Baburam Bhattarai had agreed to the party’s decision on the package deal to make Sushil Koirala the prime minister. As per the package it was decided that the NC and UML would at first serve in a Baburam-led government briefly to sort out legal issues related to elections, after which the leadership would be transferred. Baburam Bhattarai was in Mugu and misunderstood my statement in the media, but there was no difference between us on offering the NC premiership in a package deal.
If elections can’t be held in June, does that mean this government will be in power until the elections take place?
If elections can’t happen in June, there will have to be a political consensus for a different provision. The continuation of the election government will be in doubt if can’t hold polls in June.
How do you plan to get the CPN-Maoist along with 33 fringe parties to take part in polls?
The High Level Political Committee, which I currently chair, has invited them to talk and involve them in the committee to address their concerns about elections.
Your earlier political charisma seems to have been eroded, and Baburam Bhattarai has overtaken you in popularity ratings.
I have my opinions about these public opinion polls, but we won’t get into it now. I am always happy if Baburam Bhattarai is popular. And I feel the people aren’t disappointed in me and the party, irrespective of my role within and outside the government.
What about your personal inconsistency?
What you call inconsistency, I call dynamism and pragmatism. If I were rigid in my belief we would be stuck, I wouldn’t be here answering your questions. I can’t just be a locomotive, I have make sure I pull the carriages along.
Bal Krishna Dhungle is a murder convict, but you are often publicly seen with him.
The case against Bal Krishna is against the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that states war time cases should be dealt through Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Everything in the TRC meets international standards. Dhungel has already spent eight years in jail, he has suffered. We Nepalis listen a bit too much to outsiders. We have to get out of the habit of seeking international approval for everything we do.
On a different note, what do you have to say about the media in Nepal?
The qualitative growth of media in the country is a good thing. But the media is somewhat confused and some like your newspaper are a bit prejudiced against me and our party.
Are you visiting China to clarify their concerns about ethnicity-based federalism?
Federalism isn’t the agenda of my visit there. I am visiting China to strengthen the relationship between two countries and the two parties.
You talk of inclusiveness, but the country’s politics is still driven by 4-5 male Brahmins from the hills.
That is not true this time since we also have five leaders from Madhes taking part in all discussions. We are committed to bring the margnialised communities, regions to the mainstream. We feel the people of the Madhes are still been neglected, Kathmandu is still dominated by the hill feudal class and they are the ones who have kow-towed to foreigners, not the Madhesis.
Interview with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal