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Prachanda problem growing like an ulcer

What happened in Pakistan and the crushing of Buddhists in Myanmar somewhat eclipsed what happened in Nepal. We just might get another hostile neighbour under the presidentship of Maoist leader Prachanda.

The 53-year-old Prachanda is an Agriculture graduate from JNU. The party has decided to anoint him the first President of Nepal. This will be a big blow to not just the people of Nepal and their political parties but also to Indo-Nepalese relations.

The Maoist outfit Youths Communist League (YCL) has already started hoisting red flags in the no man's land at the Nepal-Uttaranchal border, claiming a large part of Indian territory as Nepal's. They routinely shout anti-India slogans. The Uttaranchal Government has, time and again, drawn the attention of the Centre of this. The Government has chosen silence over the issue. This is just the tip of the troubles, if Prachanda becomes President of Nepal.

We all know how, under pressure from Prachanda, Girija Prasad Koirala's Government accepted not only to disempower King Gyanendra but also undertake other changes of far-reaching consequences. It is also a known fact that the Maoists are in favour of giving free access to China and reviewing existing agreements between India and Nepal.

Koirala and his colleagues became Prime Minister and Ministers without going through elections. The same applies to Prachanda and his group. It is now clear why Maoists were against King Gyanendra and nominal monarchy. Koirala, evidently was for continuation of nominal monarchy. But under threat from Maoists taking to arms, he accepted the conditionalties.

The Maoists have reached an understanding with a section of the seven parties' combine that they will support Prachanda. After abolishing monarchy, he is just one step away from becoming President. This would be a historic gain for Marxists after the cold war period. The credit for this goes to the Left, particularly Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat who brought the present Nepali Government into being.

In a way, Indian Marxists have played the Chinese game against mainstream parties. They will be democratic and amalgamate into Indian politics. In fact, the outside support of Left to the UPA will cost India dear, for China would be nearer to Indian borders and we all know their silent diplomacy.

There is no differentiation between Maoists, Naxalites, CPI and CPM. They are all Marxists. Their tactics may be different. Their rhetoric may sound different. Their tone may be soft or harsh but their ultimate objective is the same.

Those who keep a watch on developments in Nepal often hear about Maoists pressurising the Government by threatening to take to arms. Although a part of their arms is stored in army depots, much of it is held by their cadres. Two years ago, they had agreed to bid goodbye to arms and surrender them to the army garrison under a peace pact but this never really happened.

The peace agreement remains on paper only. In January, 2008 Maoists blasted 15 bombs killing and seriously injuring many who do not agree with their doctrine of violence. One can see that they are targeting Buddhist ethnic groups, Nepal Rashtriya Tamang Mukti Morcha; they are organising bandhs and strikes in Kathmandu, Makawanpur, Sidhupad Chowk, Kavrepalan Chowk, Dhading and Novakot.

This not only brings misery but also violence into Nepal's mainstream. Though it is true that the comprehensive peace agreement period had very little bloodshed and bandhs but even during that period violent killings were not rare.

According to the Institute of Conflict Management, 95 persons were killed up to December 13, 2006. Total fatalities in 2006 account for killing of 61 civilians, 181 security forces personnel and 238 persons fighting for the country.

An In-sec report said that 772 people were abducted by the Maoists youth wing but general propaganda said the level of violence decreased after the peace pact.

This is the picture of an anarchic Himalayan State, gift-wrapped by outside supporters of the UPA. If Nepal goes into the hands of Prachanda, it would be the biggest blunder committed by the UPA Government, knowing fully well that India has big stakes in Nepal.