Revolutionaries stronger, demand end to monarchy

The fourth meeting in a series of summit talks ended in a stalemate between the revolutionaries led by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the ruling seven-party alliance. The two sides were unable to reach agreement on the question of arms management and the future of Nepal’s monarchy.

Further talks were postponed indefinitely as a CPN(M) negotiating team leader, Dev Gurung, stated that agreement could not be reached because the seven parties were still under the influence of “pro-palace and foreign elements.”

The CPN(M) has fought a popular revolution since 1996 to end Nepal’s autocratic monarchy and establish a democratic people’s republic. Popular protests led by an alliance of the CPN(M) and the seven parties ended the absolute rule of Nepal’s King Gyanendra in April of this year.

The seven parties now appear ready to compromise on this vital issue despite popular sentiment against the king.

The CPN(M) reaffirmed its approach toward negotiations at a recent central committee meeting that called for the abolishment of the monarchy and an immediate declaration of a republic. The central committee also proposed that the current parliament be dissolved and replaced with a new system made up of forces from the people’s movement.

On the issue of arms management the committee reiterated its stance that both the Nepal Army and People’s Army be confined to their respective barracks and their arms monitored as the political process moves forward.

The revolutionaries have pointed out that they can not unilaterally give up their arms while the reactionary state remains armed with royalist elements in key positions inside the Nepal Army.

Additionally, small royalist parties such as the Nepal Janatantrik Party have threatened to arm vigilante groups to carry out a “sabotage programme from mid-December to mid-February” in support of the king.

Revolutionaries win popular support

The fact that the revolutionaries are well-organized and greatly respected by the masses can hardly be denied. Even some in the capitalist-controlled press have conceded that no other political organization in Nepal enjoys the level of organization and broad support as the CPN(M).

A recent article in The Economist details how the parallel government established by the revolutionaries is growing stronger while the old state seems paralyzed and unable to provide even basic services.

People’s Courts administer justice in part by resolving property disputes and taking action against men who take multiple wives. Polygamy is deeply rooted in Nepal’s feudal system and often involves forcing young women to marry older men against their will.

People have little faith in the old government courts as these are riddled with corruption and justice is often delayed several years if obtained at all.

CPN(M) Chairman Prachanda has been described as the most popular politician in the country. This designation makes sense, especially since the revolutionaries collect taxes from businesses and wealthy landowners and use these funds to administer relief to victims of flooding and provide healthcare for the masses.

Meanwhile the politicians associated with the ruling seven-party alliance have spent much time sidetracked with infighting and are unable or uninterested in lifting the standard of living for Nepal’s workers and peasants.