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| Celebrating in Red: Maoist Hishia Yami, center, joined a victory march in Katmandu Monday. Manish SwaruP/ap |
Big Maoist wins could reshape Nepal's politics
Former insurgents have surprised Nepalis and marginalized moderates.
from the April 15, 2008 edition
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Despite their stunning victory, the days ahead might not be easy for the Maoists, analysts say, especially as they will now have to deliver on tall promises, including swift economic transformation.
"The people have given legitimacy to the Maoists," says C.K. Lal, a noted political columnist. "But they have yet to get acceptance. And remember, there is only a prefix that separates legitimacy and illegitimacy."
So far, the Maoists have indicated that they understand the people's message.
Speaking during a rally after his victory from a constituency in Katmandu this weekend, Prachanda, the leader of the Maoists, promised that his party would continue to work with other political parties, strengthen relations with the international community, and shoulder the responsibility entrusted by the people to build lasting peace.
The party's chief ideologue, Baburam Bhattarai, who is the most likely prime ministerial candidate from the party, said on Sunday that the new government "that will be formed under our leadership" will have participation from all parties represented in the constituent assembly. Mr. Bhattarai's wife, Hisila Yami, was declared the winner in her constituency.
But analysts say the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, with an eye on the next election, might opt to sit in opposition and let the Maoists try to deliver without any support from them, something that could hinder legislative efforts.
Among immediate challenges the Maoists will face after forming a government is ensuring a smooth supply of fuel without making the unpopular decision of raising fuel prices. For the past year, the state-owned Nepal Oil Corp. has borne heavy losses as a result of the disparity between local prices of fuel and international prices. And Indian Oil Corp., the monopoly supplier of fuel to Nepal, has regularly cut supplies in a bid to force payment.
Also, the Maoists will have to help solve the country's current power shortages, which leave Nepalese without electricity for eight hours each day.
The interim constitution says the elected assembly will have to come up with a constitution within two years, after which a general election must be held for a government that will sit for five years.
MAOISTS
The Maoists, or Communist Party of Nepal, attained a majority of directly elected seats for the Constituent Assembly in a historic election, whose official results are some weeks away.
Founded in 1994 by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, Nepali for 'The Fierce One,' the group led a guerrilla uprising whose main goals were toppling the 239-year old monarchy and restoring elections.
The Maoist insurgency lasted from 1996 -2006, during which time 13,000 people died.
Nepal had been the world's only Hindu kingdom. It became a secular state in 2006 after the king gave up absolute power.
Many Communist parties formed in the Himalayan nation after the banning of political organizations by royal decree in 1960.
Prachanda, leader of the Maoists, aspires to be the first president of Nepal. He was inspired by China's Cultural Revolution and the theories of Mao Zedong. He has since tempered both his ideology and rhetoric.
The Maoists, whose ministers have served in the coalition government, have proposed a mixed system of economic policy – combining socialism, capitalism, and industrialization – to establish land reform and encourage more foreign investment.
Goals also include a 10,000 MW electricity generation plan over the next 10 years. Prachanda has also saidy that he wants to see warmer ties between China, India, and the US.
The US has listed the Maoists as a "Specially Designated Terrorist Organization" because of violence during the revolt.
Source: National News Agency, Nepal, News Reports, Political Handbook of the World, US Department of State1 | Page 2
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