Where the UML stands now?

Khanal: The Nepal Communist Party-UML has come much far and traversed a long road after the eighth general convention. We are now in the process of implementing the strategies and ideologies adopted by the last General Convention. We currently feel the need to do away with the hurdles, traits and prevalent groupism that is there in the party. We need to adopt better direction to transform the party and to remain as a solid entity.

The party leadership is being heavily criticized from within for not being able to take appropriate decisions?

Khanal: After the completion of our first and second central committee meeting, we have devised plans and strategies that could be implemented in the very nooks and corners of the country. According to this strategy we are going to organize conventions in the district level and concurrently will also be organizing various zonal and district level meetings. We are currently organizing various cadre training programs. Let it be known that the UML is moving ahead with fresh strategies. I accept that the delay in conducting such meets has made the cadres restive however, we have addressed those concerns and things have become quite normal.

The Maoists claim that even the genuine UML cadres have begun joining the Maoist camp?

Khanal: The observation is in itself a faulty conclusion. The reality is quite different from what has been disseminated. I do accept that some may have joined the Maoist party but currently there is a clear trend that the movement itself is just the reverse. Just few days back the YCL Kathmandu valley in-charge Comrade Deepak Pun joined our party. A huge section of Maoists’ youth have freshly joined the UML in some districts including Rautahat, Bara and Parsa. To tell you more, some one thousand five hundred Maoists’ cadres joined the UML in Karnali zone alone. I have recently arrived in Kathmandu holding mass meets in Kalikot. To tell you frankly, it took me more than five hours to welcome now entrants in our party. They had quit the Maoists party only to join the UML.

The conclusion is that the UML is the only mainstream communist party and a well managed team.

Then, tell us why the party leadership remains tight lipped whenever the UML cadres become the target of the Maoist?

Khanal: I have already told you after the Kalikot attack, I personally visited our party office. It is in a completely shattered state. The district secretary is still receiving treatments…he has his hands broken and is yet to recover. Dozens of UML cadres were mercilessly thrashed by the Maoists, we have been all dismayed by such Maoists’ erratic activities.

Though the Maoists party claim itself to be a prestigious party but the fact is the party is still overwhelmed by criminal mind set. Continuation of criminal attitude will only lead the Maoists’ party to self destruction. I see that the leadership needs to work hard to transform the Maoists’ party into a mainstream democratic party.

They treat you as a rival yet you treat them as partners?

Khanal: It is not that the Maoists attack in each and every front…such are sporadic incidents. Yet we need to work together and move ahead in the right direction. The Maoists must come up with fresh understandings and exhibit unity efforts.

The constitution drafting process is sidelined in between?

Khanal: To draft the constitution we need the 2/3^rd majority. The parties that represent the 2/3^rd number of CA members must unite to draft the constitution. Mainly, the UML, Maoists and the Nepali Congress must come to terms to draft the constitution. All parties that have their representation in the CA body must also understand this fact. First, the Maoists must shun all its extreme leftist behavior. Similarly, all other parties must not try to alienate the Maoists party. We need to be careful from such behaviors.

The UML is leading the government but it is also facing criticisms from within the party?

Khanal: It was demand of history and time that the UML should lead the government. Thus we see the UML government is there. It is a matter of pride, opportunity and a challenge that the UML is now in the leading position.  We are here not only to lead the majority government; we will also accomplish the goals of timely drafting the constitution, state restructuring goals,  economic upliftment and enhancing national unity. These are the challenges facing the government. If we see the current situation it is clear that unless all the major stakeholders of the peace process join hand and sit together , it is unlikely that the constitution will be drafted on time. For this the entire population of this country and outside are looking forward to the government if it can garner unity between all the concerned parties or not? If we can tackle this problem then we will become successful.

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