KATHMANDU: Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” — well-known for his turns and twists – has been portrayed as a hot-blooded and shrewd leader in Nepal’s political arena.
To be precise, he has proved himself to be a “master strategist”.
He believes that in politics, one has to convey a message that would, if not, bring ripples, would keep the other party in a tight ring.
Therefore, Prachanda, with his mesmerizing quality of being able to prevail over other leaders, has remained one of the most perceptive and astute leaders Nepal has ever seen.
His latest move is to form a Socialist Center– popularly termed “Samajwadi Kendra” — seems to be a strategy to pitch himself as the lone king-maker in Nepal’s politics, and convey a message to the Nepali Congress (NC) that bragging too much would cost the party.
On Thursday, he reiterated the need for what he said forming a “Left alliance” in the name of the Socialist Center, and did not fail to mention that the current five-party alliance will remain intact until the upcoming parliamentary and provincial elections.
One reason for forming the Center has been aimed at gaining power in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and managing the confused leaders of major leftist forces.
Even NC leaders, particularly those from the Dr. Shekhar Koirala camp, are bewildered with Prachanda’s statements and actions as he, as always, has been trying to balance both sides with his acuity.
It seems that his periodic assurances lent moral strength to NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba as the latter fears of losing power if he braved the former rebel leader.
Moreover, Prachanda also believes that a rejuvenated NC will, however, lessen his importance as a champion in Nepali politics.
Peeking back through his political stunt after the promulgation of the Constitution in 2015, Prachanda has always been at the helm of power, meaning, he has successfully formed and toppled governments.
First, he toppled the NC government and formed a communist government, toppled it again, and played a decisive role in forming a five-party government led by NC’s President Deuba.
It was this same leader, who allied with NC in the 2017 local elections, and forged an electoral alliance with CPN-UML overnight in the parliamentary elections giving a high-voltage shock to NC leaders but even outraging some of the Maoist leaders.
Not only Congress was surprised by his decision, but several leaders of the Maoists themselves were also outraged. This time too, Prachanda is trying to make a similar leap without antagonizing Deuba.
Later, the two parties – Maoist Center and UML – unified to form Nepal Communist Party.
Now, not so satisfied with the recently-concluded local-level election results, Prachanda has accelerated efforts to form Socialist Center along with National Assembly member Bam Dev Gautam, former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader Jhalanath Khanal, among others.
In fact, Prachanda feels “betrayed” by the NC in the May 13 local elections.
Therefore, he has been continuously holding discussions with Gautam, Dr. Bhattarai, Nepal and Khanal to form the Socialist Center comprising of Communist parties.
Prachanda believes if these leaders stand together to form a Socialist Center, he will use this as a bargaining chip with NC.
Leaders, particularly Gautam, are elated with the progress of forming the Socialist Center made so far as the discussions have centralized to unite all left forces.
Gautam, who is currently in a weak position after the split of the Nepal Communist Party, is elated since he believes that forming the Center would bring back his part glory.
Since his motive is to become the country’s Prime Minister after the parliamentary elections to be held later this year, parties or leaders should not be surprised if Prachanda joined hands with the UML party at the eleventh hour to fulfill his vested interest.
Dr. Bhattarai, who was taken action by the Janata Samajbadi Party, also feels that the Center would be an apposite forum for his existence in Nepal’s political sphere.
One reason for forming the Center has been aimed at gaining power in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and managing the confused leaders of major leftist forces.
Besides, Madhav Nepal and Jhalnath Khanal, who broke away from the UML and formed the Unified Samajwadi Party, are also looking for strong support.
Therefore, Prachanda, who is closely monitoring the overall situation, initiated the exercise of gaining power by bringing all Left leaders together to consolidate his power.
He has held separate talks with Dr. Bhattarai and other leaders on the issue.
Moreover, Prachanda is learned to have been making efforts to narrow down the differences with the UML by deputing Maoist Center leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
According to observers, if NC agrees to allot respectable seats to the Maoist Center in the election to the House of Representatives, it is likely, probably, for sure, Prachanda will stop playing the game of Socialist Center.
Since his motive is to become the country’s Prime Minister after the parliamentary elections to be held later this year, parties or leaders should not be surprised if Prachanda joined hands with the UML party at the eleventh hour to fulfill his vested interest.
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