Having read 'Maoist Manifesto' (#142), I am truly amazed at the lack of vision of the leadership. Their populist call to end recruitment of Gorkha soldiers in the British and Indian armies highlights their short-sightedness. Unemployment is growing thanks to a shattered economy, which, by the way is a direct result of the insurgency. If the Maoists came to power, they would have to perform or face the wrath of the masses. How are they going to accomplish their lofty ideals to provide opportunity, equality and freedom to the peasants, proletariats or disenfranchised? The answer lies in employment. Hopefully, the Maoists will learn from the mistakes made in the former Soviet Union, China, Cambodia and Nicaragua. Collectivism and nationalisation only contributes to inefficiency, a bumbling bureaucracy and inertia. We had enough of that with the ancien regime during the Panchayat years. If the Maoists are serious then they need to shed their propaganda and become more pragmatic. Idealism may rally demonstrations, but it cannot win revolutions. Only a tiny percentage of Nepalis are considered rich or bourgeois. Confiscating all their wealth and levying taxes will not suffice to feed the vast majority. Our comrades need to modify their political philosophy. Propaganda for the sake of propaganda will only lead to shallow victories.

SN Singh,
Kathmandu