Give due credit to “people’s war”: Dahal

KATHMANDU, May 8: The “people’s war” was a significant political event born out of historical necessity and any effort to undermine its contribution in social and political changes could put left unity in jeopardy, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said. 

The UML and Maoist Center, two left parties which are in the process of unification, are divided over significance of a decade-long armed insurgency in Nepal’s class struggle. The war, led by Dahal, had claimed over 13,000 lives and displaced millions.

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On Monday, addressing a function organized by Young Communist League, the party’s youth wing, in the capital, Dahal said that the people’s war was part of Nepal’s struggle to democracy. He said that unification cannot happen unless the UML agrees to give unreserved credit to the “people’s war” for historic achievements including republicanism, secularism and federalism. 

UML leaders including Prime Minister KP Oli have long viewed “people’s war” as a historic mistake which took heavy toll on Nepal’s social, economic and political spheres. The proposed statute of the party makes mention of “people’s war” but Maoist Center has cited some reservations over the wording of the manifesto. 

“People’s war is not an isolated event. It has role in several historical achievements like republicanism and federalism. UML’s denial to give due credit to ‘people’s war’ also raises questions over the party’s commitment toward those achievements,” said Maoist leader Mani Thapa. 

Despite some differences over wording of the statute, the two parties have already ironed out differences on most of the other issues relating to division of power and portfolios.  In a parliamentary party meeting held on Monday, Dahal briefed leaders that he was hopeful of a final deal on the unification within few days. 

“We are working to give final shape to the proposed statute and organizational documents which need some changes. There will be a new date for formal announcement once it’s done,” said Dahal.