"The working class, its role and
its mission today.
The tasks and concrete experiences of the Communist Party in the working class
and the trade union."
Brussels, 16-18 May 2008
www.icsbrussels.org , ics@icsbrussels.org
The 58 years of Communist Movement and Election of Constituent Assembly in Nepal
Historical Background
People in Nepal have tireless struggle against the feudalism and fascist monarchy that has been continuous ruling the country since 1769 AD. People’s movements could not meet its peak point because of the lack of awareness and unavailability of communication just about quarter century before. The youth who had gone to India for study had been impressed by successful struggle of freedom in India and successful people’s war in china.
Com. Puspalal shrestha had established Communist Party of Nepal on 22nd April 1949 under his own leadership. It has been 59 years today since its establishment. Just after successful achievement.of the people in India and China, under the leadership of "Nepali Congress" (Bourgeoisie Party) it had been the completion of failure revolution in Nepal in 1951. (Failure revolution in the sense that it threw ‘Rana dynasty’ but could not throw ‘Shah dynasty’.)
No sooner 10years passed then king Mahendra had established his autocratic regime in1961 and named it "Party less Panchayati System". Nepali congress and different groups of communist revolted against monarchy separately for 30 year. In 1971, under the leadership of revolutionists of Jhapali communists in the leadership of the present leader of CPN(M.L) started the armed struggle against feudalism and for "New Democracy" but it also had been suppressed because of weak interval power and strong power of the enemy. The struggle couldnot get expected achievements though there conducted the struggle of student union in 1978/79. And in 1990, associating with Nepali Congress and United Left Front, they continued the struggle for the following agendas.
1) End of tyrannical kingship and establishment of multi-party democratic system.
2) Demolishing the unequal Treaties between Nepal and India to make the country independent.
It could not be expected more because of associating with Nepali congress, a bourgeoisie Party. The struggle remained dropped with minimum achievements though it reached in to climax. It was established multiparty democracy but could not handover the sovereignty to the people. The policy of Nepali Congress to be liberal to India and India’s help provided to the struggle against Party less system could not throw the unequal treaties of India and the country could not be independent from U S Imperialist and Indian Expansionist.
After the establishment of Multiparty Parliamentary system, the parliamentary election was held in 1991 in which Nepali Congress became the largest party with 114 seats and CPN (UML) became the second largest party getting victory over 69/205 seats, the party was developed from "Jhapa Struggle".
Theoretical Deviation of UML and reestablishment of CPN (ML)
Due to the failure result of Socialism of Soviet Union and to hold the reign of the country UML formed People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMD) through which they could be believable in the eye of capitalist and colonialist throwing own special program (New Democracy). Such kinds of changed program brought UML in worse condition because The People’s Multiparty Democracy was rightist and opportunist program. After the event the revolutionists started to revolt against them and some are even disappeared. Just after five years UML adopted "Anti-Patriotic Policy" in 6th Congress form, which the big mass rejected the principle and formed another great party CPN ML. Among the revolutionist, Most of them were the follower of People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMD), who again return back to UML after getting great loss in parliamentary election. After banishment of them in 2002, Communist Party Nepal (M L) marched forward with the revolutionary program "New Democracy" and adopted Marxism, Leninism and Mao-Thought..
"CPN (Maoist) and people’s War"
Due to the change in 1990, new parties could be established and organized but still it was not sufficient field. Vampire kingship was still on, people were exploited economically, and they were suppressed socially and became the victim of discrimination after the establishment of democracy too. New constitution could not address equally to all castes, religions, languages, reigns, gender and classes. The demand of the people remains neglected. The backbone of the people was CPN UML at that time but could not rule the people because of their worsening idea. It was crystal clear from the experience of five decades that the demand of the people could not be fulfilled by peaceful struggle. In 1995, there held 2nd election in which CPN (UML) hold reign of country and started to launch some progressive changes. There were so many reactionaries who couldn’t see the popular deeds, CPN (UML) had performed during their ruling. Eventually reactionaries disturbed them keeping up the eyes in those kinds of system of government and felling the impossibility to successes their revolution form peaceful way CPN (Maoist) started people’s war since 1996.
In the initial phase of its war parliamentary system and chief parliaments (Nepali Congress) were the focus point in there eyes. The belief of communism, continuous help of Nepali people gives rapid speed to develop People’s War. Though CPN (UML) was entirely captured in the hand of rightist. It’s cadre (activist) revolted them and organized CPN (ML). The principle of CPN (UML) could not remain clear for the people and they underwent to work with Maoist and thousands of youths were admitted in people’s army being impressed from people’s war. In course of people were killed in which most were killed from the side of government where as revolutionist killed less. (The writer is also one of many victims of state.)
Nevertheless there were lacking mistake and comment, Maoist became able to aware people. Nepali people became more decided and reformed the lost sacrifice mature of people. The constant contribution and dedication of Maoist made the reactionary weak and developed the concept of communism in the mind of Nepali people.
The rise of Gyanendra cause the end of Monarchy
Gyanendra became the king of the country after the assassination of king Birendra and all his family (dynasty) and proceeded to make the parliament system weak from one event to next. He dreamt to be the king of 16th century in 21st century and his dictatorship overload to the people and he showed his reality that is tyrannical king by "coup" on 1st February 2004. After his cruel kingship all the parliamentary parties, revolutionary parties including our party and rest of all groups came to struggle against him. Finally, king Gyanendra had to be compelled to handover the regime to the people on 24th April 2006.
After being victorious accompanying with all parties, there was formation of the government and the government together with Maoist made interim government and declared the date of election of "constituent assembly". In the meantime they became successful to make monarchy weak and democracy strong still it is left to bring rapid growth of democracy. Perhaps the function will be accomplished at the end of this May month.
Election of constituent assembly and its consequences
It was pending for about six decades to elect constituent assembly peacefully which has just been completed in which CPN (Maoist) has got more votes than other parties. Maoist could be able to get 50 percent seats in First Past the Post election system (that is 120/240 seats) where as 30pc votes in proportional system of election. From the both, they got 220 seats in 575 seats. It could be able to be largest party in both the systems. Nepali Congress Party (earlier largest party) has became second largest and CPN (UML), earlier second largest party, has became third largest party. Though our party CPN (ML) could not get any seat from First Past the Post election system, it has got Fourth Largest party among seven rulings parties and Third Largest among Communist Parties. It has got 2.3pc vote out of total. There is great public interest in fabour of Maoist who has struggled for 10 years inspite of heavy challenging. However our party has got sufficient support from the people though it was established ideologically and politically as a revolutionary party. Our party also has got good result though Maoist has got victorious and glorious result. Terai region with high density has got problems to revolt against reactionary because of presence of feudalist and supporters of Indian expansionist and US imperialist.
It causes of large number of votes infavour of Maoist is critically analyzed, following can be observed:
Able to give public awareness about peoples right,
People’s expectation to establish Communist Government in the country,
Embracing every caste, languages, reigns, classes, gender and other disadvantaged groups through it has got some demerits. (Though it has some ultra leftist opportunism in regards deviations
Most of the candidates are from disadvantaged groups and female,
Other large parties could not give young candidates to be representatives of the people,
Participation of more active youths in Maoist in comparison to other big parties,
From the speech of Maoists that if they lose the election, they again will come to revolt in the street,
Because of the blockage to campaign the other parties, in some constituencies,
UML’s deviation as rightist-reformist instead of Revolutionary program,
Attraction of unemployed people towards Maoist.
Being a small party in comparison to other party, our party could not launch big campaign for the election. Our party is strong follower of Marxism, Leninism and Mao-Though as our guideline principal. Associating them with the special program of Nepalese Revolution – ‘New Democracy’, Revolting against Anti-patriotic policy and participating significant role for the Communist Movement due to which it become able to get 2.3 pc vote and 8 seats in the CA.
If all Communists work hand in hand and they have friendly relation, they have good opportunity in the formation of Constitution in favour of all poor, peasants and proletariats because there are more than 60 pc members of the Constituent Assembly elected from the Communist parties.
With Revolutionary Greetings!
-Kapil pokhre-
International Department
Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist)