Power-Centered Politics Has Pushed Communist Movement into a Defensive Position: Dahal

Dragon Media Correspondent

Nepali Communist Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the communist movement must rise above power-centered politics and focus on mass movements and struggle if it is to be reorganized and revitalized.

Speaking at an interaction programme in Kathmandu on Sunday titled “Cooperation, Unity and Reorganization in the Communist Movement,” Dahal said the communist movement in Nepal had become defensive because of excessive focus on forming and changing governments.

He argued that cooperation among communist forces should not be aimed merely at entering government, but at creating and strengthening a new political movement. According to Dahal, meaningful political and social transformation can only be achieved through struggles rooted in the concerns of oppressed classes, ethnic groups, regions, communities and working people.

Recalling the history of cooperation, struggle and sacrifice among forces that had participated in the Maoist movement, Dahal said the present situation required serious self-review. He stressed the need to examine why the communist movement had failed to institutionalize the public support it had gained in the past.

Dahal also called for lessons to be drawn from previous experiences of cooperation and unity with other leftist parties, particularly the CPN-UML. He said future cooperation should be based on clear ideology, policy and strategy so that earlier weaknesses are not repeated.

He added that under the current political circumstances, like-minded forces should pursue unity where possible, cooperate on major national and livelihood issues, and form political fronts when necessary.

Dahal urged representatives of communist and leftist parties participating in the programme to engage in a new process of cooperation and political reorganization.