‘There are doubts CPN will hold its convention within deadline’

The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is not only struggling to run the government but is also facing problems  putting its house in order, as the party unification process, especially at the provincial and local level, is in doldrums. Senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Narayan Kaji Shrestha, for example, hold different views on party unification than those of the two party co-chairpersons.  Rewati Sapkota of The Himalayan Times discussed these issues with NCP standing committee member Bedu Ram Bhusal. Bhusal, who withdrew his Upper House candidacy to pave the way for Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa to get the seat, was one of the architects of the NCP’s statute and regulation. Excerpts:

How do you evaluate the government’s work?

The government has brought about positive changes but has made errors as well. It has made sincere efforts to improve relations with two neighbouring countries — India and China — which is a positive step. It has signed protocol on trade and transit treaty with China, and has improved relations with India and other friendly countries. The government has also introduced laws on fundamental rights, which were crucial to fully implement the constitution promulgated in September, 2015. It has also tried to integrate central government officials in subnational governments to ensure provincial and local bodies do not face human resource crunch, although the process is yet to be completed. These are some of the successes achieved by the government. Yet it has not been able to move aggressively to bring about big changes despite having support of two-thirds of parliamentarians. For example, it has failed to introduce a special plan for economic and social transformation. It has also failed to tame skyrocketing prices and put brakes on growing criminal activities, such as rape and murder. Lately, some of the appointments made to public posts have also raised eyebrows, as those people were widely deemed as corrupt. It has also abandoned the task of dismantling public transport cartel midway and has failed to take the investigation into gold smuggling to a logical conclusion.

Why have ruling party leaders, lawmakers and cadres failed to promote government policies and programmes?

The current government has not been able to frame special plans for economic and social transformation. In 1995, for instance, the erstwhile CPN-UML’s minority government had announced special plans and programmes, which were implemented in the grassroots as well. One such programme was called ‘Let’s build our village ourselves’, which was embraced by cadres in grassroots within three months of its introduction. This empowered cadres at the local level. Such programmes, which could increase the party’s popularity, are now missing. In other words, power is now concentrated among few central-level leaders and other leaders are left without any responsibility.

Unification process, especially at provincial and local level, is not moving ahead smoothly. Why?

The merger is significant because it has brought together two communist parties with different ideologies. The CPN-UML had always believed in peaceful struggle, whereas CPN-Maoist believed in armed struggle. This is not the first time communists have held different views on this issue. After the first Communist Party convention in 1951, late Manamohan Adhikari led peaceful movement, whereas late Pushpa Lal was in support of armed struggle. Later, Pushpa Lal was sacked from the party’s general secretary post, which was assumed by Adhikari. After all these years, these two factions are now on the same page and are working to achieve the single goal of socio-economic transformation. Following the unification at the top level, we had decided to work according to recommendations given by various task forces to streamline the unification process at provincial and local level. It was also agreed that those task forces would work according to terms of reference provided by the party leadership. But the party leadership has not framed ToRs. So, those task forces are working haphazardly. This has created problems and prevented party unification process from moving ahead in a systematic manner.

But even different components of the party that are already in place are not working properly, are they?

The party’s central committee, standing committee and secretariat have been finalised. But as of now only the secretariat is functioning. And even the decisions taken by the secretariat have been challenged at times. This is why party unification process at the provincial and local level is taking time.

Shouldn’t the standing committee or central committee take charge of party unification process?

The procedure for party unification at provincial and local level should be discussed at standing committee or central committee. If we follow this procedure, the problem would be resolved within 15 days. But this has not happened. Hence, the stalemate.

What is the bone of contention in formation of various committees at provincial and local levels?

There are two schools of thought on this issue. One school of thought says we should formulate standard procedures based on party’s statute and regulation before selecting members of various committees at provinces and the local levels. Another school of thought says we should select members of various committees on the basis of seniority. Chairpersons are in favour of the second school of thought, meaning they should be allowed to select leaders as they think right. But others are not in favour of this approach and they believe selections should not be made in the absence of a standard procedure because it would violate the principle of ‘right man in right place’.

So, what is the way out?

The unification process has hit a deadlock. The process can move forward if we can formulate a standard procedure. But there is another option as well. The new committees at provincial and local levels will not be able to absorb all the members of committees formed by the erstwhile CPN-UML and CPN-MC. What we can do is integrate those members on the basis of seniority and their contribution to the party.

Can the party hold its general convention within the two-year deadline?

We must hold the convention by that time to run the party legally. Erstwhile CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre had held their respective conventions three years ago. Considering this, the next convention of the merged entity should be held within the next two years. But one can argue that the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre no longer exist and the conventions they held in the past should not set a bar for the unified party to hold the general convention in the next two years. If this argument is considered valid then the unified party can hold its next convention within five years of completion of the party unification process. I don’t think there is any legal provision on this issue, so the topic is open for discussion. The most important thing for now is completion of the party unification process, which has lingered on for over six months. Unless we resolve this issue, how can the party hold its general convention? Currently, there are doubts the general convention will be held within two-year deadline.

Who will be the candidate for chairperson in the upcoming general convention?

I can’t predict now. The situation of that time will play a determining role. In the past, we have seen leaders changing camps. The chairperson would be chosen through direct election. So, a number of coalitions could be formed during the election. We can’t predict what kind of coalition will be formed during the convention.

Have Oli and Dahal reached consensus on leading the government on rotation basis?

No party committee has held discussion on this issue. Dahal told Indian media about this agreement. We then asked secretariat members about this issue. But they said Dahal had not briefed them on this issue. If the two had entered into such an agreement then it will eventually be discussed in the party committee.

Lastly, did you receive any assurance from the leadership when you withdrew your candidacy during the National Assembly election?

I did not receive any assurance and neither did I ask for one. I had registered my candidacy as per party direction. PM Oli called me and asked me to withdraw the candidacy and I did not make a big issue out of this.

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