The Election Commission has finalized the preparations for the local elections scheduled for May 13.
The parties have already finalized the election campaign and candidates. The process of party registration for local elections is already complete. The only option left is an independent candidacy.
Even though the entire election process is moving forward, the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’ has been saying that the peace process will be disrupted if its party is kept out of the election.
The Biplab faction has already urged Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to create an environment for the party to participate in the local election.
Khabarhub’s Laxman Phuyal held talks with CPN (Maoist) Spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma “Prakanda” on the upcoming local elections and the party’s strategy. Excerpts:
Why did your party decide to take part in the local elections when all legal formalities for the elections were over?
The upcoming local election is unique in itself. Our party is currently in a special position in national politics. The party has come to this process by saying that the responsibility towards the nation and the people should be fulfilled in a new way.
Earlier, we reached a three-point agreement with the KP Oli-led government. Now, the current government has the responsibility to implement the agreement. We have decided to take our movement simultaneously – one through struggle, and the other is dialogue through peaceful means.
In recent days, we have held peaceful talks to meet the need for change. It has been 13 months since the three-point agreement was reached. On the other hand, the government has announced local elections.
Local elections are a political event in the country. When deciding, ensuring, or announcing this program, the government would have to reach an understanding in consultation with our party. This government and the opposition have made serious mistakes.
The government must realize that we are the rebel force of the past. We have come to an agreement with the state. The party must participate in all elections and agendas. The government should discuss this with the party.
However, neither the government nor the opposition approached us. In this way, the government seems to be trying to violate the three-point agreement.
After the government announced the election, there was a great debate in our Central Committee. People have new aspirations.
At this time, local elections need to be viewed in a new light. The Central Committee has decided that the party should use this opportunity.
This decision has caused a great deal of controversy in the party. We are preparing to go to the polls as nationalist representatives, as pro-people representatives, to fight against the problems that exist in the country and to serve the aspirations and needs of the people as a priority. However, the government’s obstruction seen in this is not acceptable to us.
If the government takes initiative in this regard, will you participate in the local elections?
If the government stops the local elections and announces a new date by consulting with us, we will use it in a new way. However, the first condition is that the announced election should be deferred.
The election process has come a long way, even the Election Commission has said that it cannot be postponed. What do you say?
The process is moving forward, that’s right. In the past, the EC has extended the process. This is not just a legal matter.
This is also a political issue. As it is a political matter, we agree with the state and the government about the power of the rebels. Consensus is a guideline for the state. There is also a guideline for our party. If that happens, other state bodies will agree. That also applies to the Election Commission.
If there is no initiative from the state to postpone the local elections, what will happen if you contest the elections independently?
The government has no choice but to listen. Holding elections sans our party would obstruct the peace process. The three-point agreement will be violated.
We will appeal to the people. The Communist Party of Nepal is a party that the Nepali people expect the most rather than from the parliamentary parties.
The state has no choice but to address our concern. If the government does not listen to us, there will be serious consequences.
Discussions are also underway with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”. Do you see any possibility of party unity?
There are rumors of party unity. However, the implementation of the three-point agreement with the government has been complicated.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway with political parties on unity. We believe that polarization and unification of the communist movement are necessary.
What if the government addressed your demands?
We will form the people’s front. Before that, the elections should be stopped. The local elections had to be taken forward only after discussions and new agreements with our party.
However, it is too early to talk about it. People’s liberation and national liberation are on our agenda. Our objective is to end regional oppression in the country.
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