http://kasamaproject.org/
- Category: South Asia Revolution
- Created on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 06:51
- Written by C.P. Gajurel
The fact is that this election is being conducted not for drafting of the new constitution. Instead the election is to goad the country towards party less system and also is being held or will be held at the cost of national sovereignty. That is why I would say that the entire process of the election is nothing more than a drama. This election will not be held. We will not allow it to happen.
For months now, the coup regime in Nepal has been trying to hold sham elections aimed at legitimizing a new form of oppression in Nepal. To date, 57 political parties being led by the Conmmunist Party of Nepal-Maoist have been organizing general strikes and mass resistance to the coup led by Chief Justice Regmie and three counter-revolutionary political parties. The following is an interview with Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Vice Chairman Gajurel. It first appeared on Telegraph Nepal.
TQ1: Practically all the parties have by now kept themselves busy in preparation of the poll, however, your party doesn’t appear to have been inclined for that. But why?
Gajurel: Yes! It is true. Why to bother for such an election which is not going to be held. To recall, Prachanda and the likes had been crying for election in the past. They got tired thereafter. Now once again they have been crying in favor of election. Neither the election dates have been announced nor there the atmosphere for participating in the said poll prevailing. If not so then most of the parties may in all likelihood reject the poll. That is why this election will not be held as propagated. There is thus no question to participate in a poll which will not be held at all. That is why we are free from election fever.
TQ2: Why the election should not take place? Most of the political parties have stated that election would be held even if your party rejects the poll? What say you?
Gajurel: They will definitely say so. You may recall that they used to claim that the election would be held in June itself. But why it did not take place? They had told that the election fever was on since the beginning of February/March. So neither the country is in the grip of what is being taken as election fever, nor do the people appear that much interested in the conduct of the poll. I tell you frankly that until the basic fundamentals for conducting the poll remain not in place, Nepal will not have the poll as such.
TQ3: So what if the election is held?
Gajurel: Take it for granted that there is no chance for the conduct of the poll. What will we do in case election does take place is a matter which could be decided later? Until and unless the 25 and 11 point agreed upon by the four parties doesn’t get dissolved, none of the parties will take part in a poll to be conducted by this unconstitutional government. So will we do? No participation in the poll.
TQ4: Despite of your party’s opposition, Justice Regmi and Bhattarai have their say in national politics. Even if you oppose the election, will that make any difference to them?
Gajurel: Mind it that we made Bhattarai the nation’s Prime Minister. Or else he would never in his entire life have assumed the PM post. Let’s not talk of Justice Khil Raj Regmi. We are already in his protest. So far as the holding of the election is concerned, take it for granted that election will not be held. For the poll one must forward its raison d’être. How and why and for whom the conduct of the poll is going to be must be forwarded. This is a matter of intense debate. The election doesn’t get legality if some four or five parties participate in the polls. Mind it that this election is not for the village level bodies. In the election of the CA, practically all of the parties should take part, speaking in terms of logic. Only then the new constitution will be accepted by the entire population. So when most of the parties are reluctant in taking part in the election and only a few have exhibited their interest in having the election, if so then, who will legalize the conduct of the CA poll then?
TQ5: Isn’t it that the CA poll is being held in order to draft the new constitution?
Gajurel: The fact is that this election is being conducted not for drafting of the new constitution. Instead the election is to goad the country towards party less system and also is being held or will be held at the cost of national sovereignty. That is why I would say that the entire process of the election is nothing more than a drama. This election will not be held. We will not allow it to happen.
TQ6: If all the political parties take part in the election, then what would be your party’s weapon to halt the conduct of the poll?
Gajurel: If the election is held without addressing our demands and ignoring the prevalence of an election atmosphere, then rest assured, the election could not be held. No chance. Yes! Certainly we will do our best to halt the poll. As a part of our protest, we have already submitted a memorandum at the Election Commission. If some two to four directionless parties talk of election then that would be just a joke. Election can’t be held. The President is also toeing the line of four party syndicate.
TQ7: So this should mean that your party will for sure not take part in the upcoming poll? Is it so?
Gajurel: Definitely we will reject this poll unless proper election environment is not made or prevails in the nation. We will boycott the poll.
TQ8: Or is it that your party fears facing the poll?
Gajurel: No it is not that. We do not fear embracing the poll. If we are supposed to have become afraid of the polls, then what about the rejection of the poll called by PM Bhattarai by the NC and the UML then? Is it that the NC and the UML too were afraid of the poll then?
TQ9: Is it that since you do not enjoy much popularity among the people and thus the decision to boycott the poll? Is it so?
Gajurel: Had we rejected the poll during the erstwhile Panchayat regime out of fear? First make the election environment and then face the election. Who bags how much seats will become clear. Things will come to the fore then. For competition, we always remain in a determined state. To tell you, our party has gone to the people much comparatively speaking. We have established our organization. We have been struggling for fulfilling the people’s pressing demands.
TQ10: But people claim that today’s national agenda is election. Isn’t it so?
Gajurel: Not at all. It is not our national agenda for the moment. The population appears least interested in the conduct of the poll. Then how could this become the national agenda?
TQ11: Will not be the election boycott an affair assisting the regressive forces? What say you?
Gajurel: This is just a talk the other way round. What is the fact is that by making null and void the interim constitution, some sort of counter revolution has taken place. This could be taken as an act initiated by the regressive forces instead. So an election drama with the mindset of regression, if conducted, will mean that the nation is being carried towards regression. To oppose such acts, in my opinion, is a forward looking exercise and could be taken as a progressive act. And this is what could also be taken as democratic practice. And so this is the republican order.
TQ12: But the entire international forces, including India and China have been favoring the conduct of the poll. What say you then?
Gajurel: Let others talk. Let others roam wherever they prefer to. All these have no meaning in the eyes of the people and the nation. The nation will be forced to embrace yet another fierce conflict if the election is held without preparing its genuine atmosphere. I think, this should be understood by all. I would even say that the media too should write that election at the moment should not be held.
