Fighting a war far easier for Maoists than fighting corruption
By Divas
Nepal’s Finance Minister & Maoist Party leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has claimed that the Maoist-led coalition government has identified certain sectors, one being the tourism industry, which would boost national economy despite severe market crisis in the “capitalist world”. Dr. Bhattarai also blamed the nexus of political leadership, bureaucracy, and taxpayers for the high level of revenue leakage in the country. Similarly, Dr. Bhattarai advised private school owners to divert their capital from school education sector to other areas of entrepreneurship.
Nobody in Nepal doubts Dr. Bhattarai’s sincerity for the upliftment of people in the margins. In fact, during the time when Dr. Bhattarai was fighting his guerilla war with government forces, many people used to say, “How can the Maoists be wrong when people like Dr. Bhattarai lead them?” Dr. Bhattarai’s popular base became evident when he got elected in Constituent Assembly election defeating his opponent with the greatest margin in country.
However, as one columnist said, after three months in power, the Maoists must have realized that fighting corruption within state bureaucracy is far more difficult than fighting a guerrilla war against the state. Moreover, how would the Maoists justify the alleged involvement of their youth wing, the Young Communist League (YCL), in various abductions, tender-bid bargains, transport syndicate in western Nepal, and even in smuggling sand from Kathmandu valley rivers?
On the other hand, umbrella organization of the private schools has challenged Dr. Bhattarai to nationalize all private schools if he can. Similarly, members of Nepal’s Chamber of Commerce have accused Dr. Bhattarai of being “investment unfriendly” to meet the “ambitious” revenue target declared in his “ambitious” budget for 2008-2009. Despite all difficulties, the Maoists seem to enjoy popular support to carry out their socialist agenda, especially owing to increasing criticism against capitalism in the developed world themselves.
However, Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa’s denial before the Assembly of the media reports that he had met the prime suspect of the Kathmandu businessman Ramhari Thapa murder case has once again put the Maoist Party sincerity in question. Defence Minister Thapa, despite labeled as a Maoist hardliner, certainly commands respect from a significant section of society. But not only the opposition party Nepali Congress, but Nepal’s trusted media persons who were the eyewitness of Mr. Thapa’s meeting with the alleged suspect, have refuted his claim as “totally false & misleading”.
At a time, when they have the crucial responsibility of managing their former guerilla army, and reach a deal with Madhesi guerillas, the Maoists better resolve their ideological confusion and work toward what Comrade Prachanda prefers calling “public-private partnership”.
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hello divas ji
its me gaurav.i loved ur writing send ur articles to us at viewyourchoice@gmail.com
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i hope u have got my mail at abc@columnist.com
Really grateful for your appreciation Gaurav. Kindly use the posts with my name on this blog in any way you like. I wish you all the best on your efforts!
divas
“Similarly, Dr. Bhattarai advised private school owners to divert their capital from the school education sector to other areas of entrepreneurship.”
Dear Mr Dr Bhattarai, kindly Fuck off!
Divas jee,
loved your article, to be honest I am not a Maoist, or its supporter, but a real nepali who wants upliftment of people under the poverty line.
Atleast this government is thinking for the poor more compared to other plitical parties we have, so why donot we support them, if you are a nepali belongs to that community who fight for food and shelter for day to day………, there are many others who want to cheat other nepali on the name shake of being nepali,
But general nepali do not go for the any political parties ideology, but they need a respected job, education, which can feed them and their family………………
So please keep in mind atleast this government thinking and fighting for that…….
thanks for that
ABC
dear ABC, thanks a lot fr ur comment. Perhaps nobody in Nepal denies Maoists’ sincerity toward the upliftment of people in the margins. If you’d see my past writings & even in current writings you’ll find that i’ve been v sympathetic toward the Maoists. That’s precisely why despite the Maoists’ bloody past people made them the largest party through elections. However, can that be an excuse fr the Maoist atrocities & misadventures?
thanx really fr your thoughtful comment.
I fail to see how you could appreciate Maoists. The post revolution turmoil has been even worse to some degree. The maoist government is the least sincere. Attacking the press while still in government is what you call sincerity?
My major concern is economic sector though. The demands and tension created by Maoist affiliated worker unions have paralysed and affected the operation of almost every big industry or institution. Just wait and see, Maoist will turn Nepal into Mao’s China. I can’t help laughing when they say they want to follow Mao’s vision to steer Nepal towards success. Those who know even a little bit of history would agree with me that Mao brought disaster to China. Millions of people died of hunger due to his economic policies. It was a big failure. Trying to bring virtue out of poverty does not help. Communism does not feed empty stomachs nor does it issue paychecks. Maoists have to understand this.
Trying to imitate a system that failed is what you call sincerity?
Baburam Bhattrai said at his speech at Harvard that Maoists aim is to steer Nepal towards social communism. Please! We’ve had enough communism shit.
Dear editor,
I am not the supporter of Maoists. I had hoped by Maoist, but, now , I am very confused seeing the activities,talking, behaviour of Maoists PM & ministers.
If Maoists want to save their identity they most be convinced about my opinions- as follow-
The Maoists’ political success will be measured on how it can move according to the national and international contexts. All nationalists are convinced that as the Maoists face a stiff challenge, it can achieve great success only if it can respect the country’s identity and the established norms and values. For this, we request the Maoists to be committed to the following points.
1. It would be relevant if the Maoists move ahead by expressing commitment to the guideline of late Chinese leader and namesake of the CPN-Maoist on a sovereign Nepal and the integrity of one-China principle. Although Nepal and India are near geographically and culturally Nepal has been facing threat since the Mugal times. But Nepal has not faced any kind of threat from China since communism was established there. China’s leader Mao Ze Dong used to say even when communism was at its height in China that ‘China was in favour of monarchy in Nepal as its sovereignty is safe only because of monarchy’. Mao used to have total faith on Nepal’s monarchy as he understood it very well that Nepalese communists even if they wear the façade of a revolutionary always run under the Indian design. China had understood it clearly that Nepal’s sovereignty is linked with monarchy. Therefore, there is no option for the Maoists too to accept this reality. The Maoist should be able to understand the gameplan of India and America to destroy China by using Nepal and for that they first want to weaken Nepal. In such a situation even if the king wants to abdicate all Nepalese should request Him to ascend the throne. The attempt to establish a republican state in Nepal is a Herculean task.
2. If Nepal’s sovereignty is to be protected against the policy of America and India, especially against the conspiracy of RAW, the Maoist must commit itself to a balanced relation between India and China through (1) to manage and control the open border between Nepal and India by fencing and/or construction of wall along the border with consent of both the countries and maintain the 7-10 border points; (II) revoke the citizenship taken by few Tibetan and many Indian nationals since 2007&2008; (III) introduction of work permit for foreigner workers in Nepal and; (IV) to ease the movement of people, transportation and export-import with China.
3. The natural and cultural assets are the wealth of the country. Therefore, the Maoists should prepare plans to mobilize Nepalese manpower in the utilization of natural resources – land, water resources and forest; and to maintain the country’s cultural vibrancy it should declare religious freedom and announce the continuation of Hindu and Buddhist kingdom by which Nepal is known around the world. If the Maoists make these commitments, no force can destroy the Maoists. Although Mao had maintained secularism in China he had prevented the encroachment of foreign religion in China. It might be mentioned here that secularism in Nepal is the interest of the foreigners to destroy the whole identity of Nepal.
4. The Maoists must prepare a list of those of Nepali Congress, UML, RPP and Sadhvawana parties who were in power after 1991 and those who were in the ministries from Secretary, director generals of the departments and directorates, project managers, chief of public corporations, contractors whose number range from 5,000 to 20,000 and evaluate all their previous and present assets and properties, bank balances both in the country and outside, shares, investments and take action under a strict criteria. For this, appropriate laws should be formulated and the institution should be constitituted to curb corruptions. All their properties should be nationalized and they be punished if they fail to furnish relevant proof of their assets and properties and incomes.
5. The financial system is the crux of any country’s stability and steadiness. So, to control the economy that depends on smuggling the Maoists should (i) formulate policy of compulsory monitoring of the country’s industries, economic and commerce sector, pledge for a privatization policy that does not go against the country’s interest (ii) embank the rivers and reclaim the fallow land on the banks of hundreds of rivers and the land reclaimed be distributed among the landless; farming of fruits, medicinal plans and cash crops like tea on the fallow and waste lands; implement plans with people’s participation for the protection of forest areas and water resources. If these commitments can be materialized the prosperity and stability of the country can be assured for years to come.
If not Maoist can’t do anythings. Please, convey to all the leaders of Maoists.
Thank you.
Dirgha Raj Prasai
Dear editor,
Thanks for your quick response.
I think, the Maoist Guerillas are only the workers of Maoist. I have no confidence that the Maoist Guerillas are able to abolish the corruptions. I have sent the above point No. 4 for Maoists –
‘The Maoists must prepare a list of those of Nepali Congress, UML, RPP and Sadhvawana parties who were in power after 1991 and those who were in the ministries from Secretary, director generals of the departments and directorates, project managers, chief of public corporations, contractors whose number range from 5,000 to 20,000 and evaluate all their previous and present assets and properties, bank balances both in the country and outside, shares, investments and take action under a strict criteria. For this, appropriate laws should be formulated and the institution should be constitituted to curb corruptions. All their properties should be nationalized and they be punished if they fail to furnish relevant proof of their assets and properties and incomes.’
But, i could not their response. I think they are going the way of Congress & UML- eating, feeting, dancing according to the Indian-line.
Thank you.
Dirgha Raj Prasai
Dear editor,
I just stmbled through and I liked it. I hope to visit this blog regularly. wish you all the best.
Dear Editor,
This is the time to work to uplift the people’s inspiration and hope is only the factor that can save Nepal from being a failed country. There is no dought that the Maoists Guerilla are also Nepali Citizen who can help to develop Nepal if mobilized properly.
Only the problem is the mindset of leaders of Maoists and others as well. The leaders are not complying with the agreements they signed. The issue is whether Maoist leaders can be open and act like a national leader than the promotor of Maoist or whether they can go with realism or the theorist.
If they are realist they will work with all parties including opposition leaders giving them enough space. They will share power and concentrate their effort on Constitution making process and providing relief to vicitims, respect rule of law. Otherwise they can follow hardcore politics and attack media, judiciary and public servent.
It is up to the leaders, the gurrillas will come up with their own policy and all other political groups will form arm groups of their own.
Thank you,
Raj Kumar Dhungana
true… not sure who said this, but it still rings true: Cutting up fowl to predict the future is, if done honestly and with as little interpretation as possible, a kind of randomization. But chicken guts are hard to read and invite flights of fancy or corruption.
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