As the standoff continues between Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior vice chairman Mohan Baidya on the official party line, another vice chairman, Baburam Bhattarai, has said that the party should come together in favor of peace and constitution while giving space to Baidya's dissenting voice.

Kantipur: How will the party decide on the contending proposals by the chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the vice chairman Mohan Baidya?
Baburam Bhattarai: Discussions on both of the proposals are going on. We will look at both proposals in positive light. If there are contending issues, we can move ahead after giving space to the note of dissent.

How will the contending issue be resolved?
First, consensus will be sought through discussion. If that is not possible, the chairman's proposals may be amended to incorporate genuine concerns expressed in the vice chairman's proposal. But if there is no consensus at all, voting will be conducted on the proposals.

Isn't the party in danger of splitting after this rift has surfaced?
I don't think so. We have resolved such ideological struggles within the party before. Our party leadership has worked together for a long period and we understand each other's concerns and sensitivities very well. We have seen ups and downs in the past so I don't think anybody will be in favor of splitting the party. We have to give due respect to the dissenting voice while moving ahead with the one that the majority has favored. But we have to work together.

Why is 'People's Revolt' (Baidya's proposal) not a favorable strategy in current situation?
If you look at the present situation, achievements like republicanism and secularism have not been institutionalized and aspirations for changes in social and economic structure especially with regard to land reforms have not been met. So theoratically speaking, we cannot say that the relevance of people's revolt is over. But if we look at the political ground realities, they are not in our favor. The geo-political condition of Nepal is such that if we act against these conditions and risk our political integrity, the country might slide into another conflict and become a playground for foreign powers. So, in the present context, completing the peace process and drafting the constitution are the most practical options.

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