Progress of socialist construction in Nepal
The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has undergone a series of reorganization efforts in the last few weeks as it prepares for the drafting and adoption of a new constitution. Today, the newly formed Central Committee Secretariat discussed another reorganization effort to consolidate decision making functions in a new, five member Headquarters (HQ) Committee. The proposed Chairman of the HQ Committee would be sitting Chairman of the UCPN (M) and Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachand.”
“The headquarters can take immediate major decisions on four major agendas- the government, the parliament, the street and the army whenever necessary,” said a party source. “At times, it might be difficult to bring together 15 secretariat members, so the party leadership discussed having a HQ committee to discuss major agendas.”
As the UCPN (M) looks towards the future it will have a number of pressing issues it will have to address in order to put the country on the path towards socialism. Perhaps the most critical issue is addressing the growing factionalism amidst leading cadres in the Party.
While outright factionalism has not yet emerged, history has shown numerous lessons in the importance of consolidating political unity in order to combat the effects of factionalism. Factionalism, even when developed from legitimate political opposition, inevitably leads to open conflict and the weakening of the workers’ vanguard at large.
The Maoists in Nepal already face the problems associated with coalition government – an obstacle enabling counter-revolutionary forces a say in the direction of country. A split Party will only strengthen opposition towards the path of socialism.
The second major task will be the formation of a new constitution, for which the Maoists will (and indeed need to) take an active role in formulating the legality of socialist construction. The development of a constitution reflecting the interests of the Nepalese workers will be an important part in the development of legal, social, political and economic institutions as the Maoists move forward.
Thirdly, the economic and infrastructural development of Nepal, both in its urban and rural settings, will require fundamental Maoist participation. The path towards socialism inevitably depends on a cohesive strategy for bringing forth a powerful proletariat capable of serving as a strengthened base of power for the Maoists, in connection with their already strong rural base. The current political situation in Nepal will likely include counter-revolutionary and bourgeois political parties in the process of economic development. Under this consideration Nepal will likely be forced to introduce a “New Economic Policy” plan, or “market socialism” to bring its level of production up to par and on the path of socialist construction.
Fourthly, the integration of the People’s Army into Nepal’s standing state army is of critical importance for the survival and implementation of socialist policy. The integration process should proceed under Maoist led supervision. It will enable the UCPN (M) to secure its position in power without the threat of a reactionary military force capable of carrying out the wishes of the national bourgeoisie or imperialist neo-colonialist powers.
Finally, the Maoists must consolidate their forces in order to make the needed adjustments to alleviate the hardships of the masses in Nepal. This must be undertaken with a strictly socialist nature, in accordance with the development of socialism and political, economic and social infrastructure. If the Maoists miss out on this opportunity, and the bourgeois coalition parties are able to co-opt this effort, the unreliable peasantry and rural population may switch allegiances. Maoists consolidation of the efforts to alleviate the stress facing the population will be critical for their pursuit of socialism and maintenance of power.