Nepal: Maoists preparing for urban revolt?

[Saorsa]

This may be bullshit. But it's been reported in several places, and it could well be true. Either way, as the May 28th deadline for a new constitution draws near things are getting tense in Nepal. The military is threatening to intervene if events get out of hand, and the current puppet government is looking close to collapse.

All eyes on Nepal.

Maoist plan to seize capital, Biratnagar

Maoist plan to seize capital, Biratnagar
Last Updated : 2010-04-12 11:57 PM

http://www.nepalnews.com/main/images/stories/igallery/peoples_mo/large/apr_06_10_students_rally4_b.jpg


Somnath Bastola
ITAHARI: The UCPN-Maoist has started training its cadres-including disqualified PLA combatants and the YCL-in the rural areas of eastern Tarai to seize sate power through urban revolution.

A leader of the Maoist-affiliated Kochila State Committee revealed that the party is providing military training to its cadres in a manner not very different from the way they were trained before the people’s war was launched.

Requesting anonymity, the leader said that nearly 15 thousand Maoist cadres from Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari had recently received military training in Yangsila of Morang. He also informed that the participants had been directed to be ready for the last phase of the revolution.

YCL chairman of Kochila state committee Hikmat indicated that Maoists were preparing for a war as the incumbent government was doing the same by instigating Nepal Army. He said, “We will win the war. So we are ready to go through any hardship,” adding, “We cannot stay inoperative while the government prepares for war.”

However, Hikmat said YCL cadres were being trained to keep them physically fit.

A YCL participant said the training involved use of weapons, strategies to take control over enemies and to bring state operations to a grinding halt on May 1 as per the party’s policy of triple strikes. The Maoists have scheduled April 6, May 1 and the third week of May for their first, second and third strike.

A source said the party has asked each of the PLA’s seven divisions to send combatants to Kathmandu. He even informed that the combatants had already reached the capital. Anticipating use of force to suppress them, the party plans to use these combatants along with their weapons at the forefront of the Kathmandu-centred demonstration, the source said.

The Maoists have planned to first capture Kathmandu, and then Biratnagar. The source also said cadres had been trained to lay siege to Biratnagar and capture the city.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Maoist+plan+to+seize+capital ,+Biratnagar&NewsID=238697&a=3

[Delenda Carthago]

I thought they were in authority over there...:confused:

[Invincible Summer]

The Maoists have scheduled April 6, May 1 and the third week of May for their first, second and third strike.


The article is dated Apr 12, but it states that the Maoists scheduled April 6 as the first strike? Did this happen?

[Uppercut]

For lack of a better phrase:
"Kick ass!"

Let's hope the Maoists are serious about what they're doing. So far so good, from what I've seen thus far, but the accusations of them being Dengists are in the back of my mind.

But either way, at least the Maoists will be in power, and I don't think the people will let themselves revert back to capitalism.

[Saorsa]

I thought they were in authority over there...

I think you need to read up on the situation a bit more!

http://kasamaproject.org/2010/03/17/new-pamphlet-from-new-zealand-revolution-in-nepal/


The article is dated Apr 12, but it states that the Maoists scheduled April 6 as the first strike? Did this happen?

It's talking about three waves of mass demonstrations, rallies and bandhs. On April 6th, which is the anniversary of the second People's Movement that overthrew the King, they held mass rallies in every one of Nepal's 75 districts. There is another wave of demonstrations scheduled for May Day.

It's all go! They're calling for a government to be formed under their leadership so they can draft a People's Constitution. If this doesn't happen, they're promising a revolt.

[x371322]

For lack of a better phrase:
"Kick ass!"


I 2nd this statement. :thumbup1:

[Rusty Shackleford]

Maoists + Urban Revolt? sounds like a great even to learn from and to support.


+1 to the people of Nepal.

[Saorsa]

The essence of Prachanda Path was the fusion of the 'Russian model' with the 'Chinese model'. The plan has always been to surround the cities from the countryside, then lead urban insurrections in the final and decisive stage of the revolution. The Maoist strategy since 2005 has been to build up their strength in the cities to the point where this becomes possible, and it appears that now it has.

There is evidence that there is some truth behind these reports, including these two recent (and poorly translated...) articles from a UCPN (M) website.

April 6 represents urban rebellion -Dr. Bhattarai

2010-04-08 08:06:38 THE RED STAR

Kathmandu, Apr. 6/UCPN-Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said that the mass demonstration of April 6 is the struggle related to the urban rebellion. Giving interview to the daily news paper Jandisha daily, he said that the demonstration is historic in the sense that it represents the developed form of the rebellion that is directed for the completion of Nepalese revoution. The party has successfully demonstrated its power in the Tundkhel of Kathmandu valley.

http://krishnasenonline.org/main/news.php?pname=Theredstar&id=114&cata_name=Politics

Struggle Reaches into Climax

2010-04-05 03:57:29 THE RED STAR

Kathmandu, Apr, 5. The struggle for the completion of the revolution is reaching to its climax soon. UCPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda, publicising a book written by Party PBM Haribol Gajurel in a programme organized yesterday, said that the struggle in between status quo and revolutionary is touching its climax soon.

UCPN-Maoist is going to demonstrate a huge mass demonstration tomorrow all over the country. Tomorrow is the Day of People\'s Movement. And, UCPN-Maoist is going to celebrate it in a grand manner. All the preparations for the programme has been completed and hundred thousands of people are going to gather even in the Kathmandu valley. The state committees and the local party commmittees have also finished their preparation to celebrate the Day historically.

http://krishnasenonline.org/main/news.php?pname=Theredstar&id=113&cata_name=Politics

[We Shall Rise Again]

solidarity to the cadres in nepal.

Their actions continue to inspire.

Alot can be learned from studing the maoist movement in nepal, and all comrades should have a look at how this struggle has developed, and the tactics used at various points.

I hope what we are seeing here is the building towards the ultimate stage in their strategy, which by all accounts it is.

A maoist led republic in nepal would certainly be a great beacon and possible freind to those of us struggle for socialism in this part of the world.

Hats off to the ucpn-m, the ycl and the pla.:D

[The Vegan Marxist]

Socialism is becoming a really diverse fuel to the people of the 21st century lately. South Asian areas are bringing forth socialism through bottom-top, while Latin America is bringing forth socialism through top-bottom. Either way, this is a glorious century for all Socialists & Communists alike!

[red cat]

The essence of Prachanda Path was the fusion of the 'Russian model' with the 'Chinese model'. The plan has always been to surround the cities from the countryside, then lead urban insurrections in the final and decisive stage of the revolution. The Maoist strategy since 2005 has been to build up their strength in the cities to the point where this becomes possible, and it appears that now it has.

I doubt whether the UCPN(M) is using that part of their guiding ideology any more. Prachanda Path was probably emphasizing on parallel urban insurrections along with PPW. This was opposed as a Trotskyist line. Note that the Maoists are not opting for urban insurrections while their PPW is underdeveloped; urban insurrections are a part of the classic theory of PPW as well, and a must to seize power completely. Maoists are moving for the cities only when they have become powerful enough in the rural areas. These will not be parallel urban insurrections but the completion of a classic Maoist revolution.

[Saorsa]

You may be right red cat. The party has officially dropped Prachanda Path after all... It'll be fascinating to see how this plays out :-)

[red cat]

Socialism is becoming a really diverse fuel to the people of the 21st century lately. South Asian areas are bringing forth socialism through bottom-top, while Latin America is bringing forth socialism through top-bottom. Either way, this is a glorious century for all Socialists & Communists alike!

I don't want to derail the thread, but still...

“We want no condescending saviours to rule us from their judgement hall. We workers ask not for their favours, let us consult for all.”

:)

[Uppercut]

The party has officially dropped Prachanda Path after all

They have...? Well, he's still their Chairman, isn't he?

[Tavarisch_Mike]

Whisch them good luck, first time I heard of the maoist in Nepal was in a number of National Geographic a couple of years ago, wear they said that when they get the power over the country they will rise the red flagg with the hammer and the sickle on the top of Mount Everest. Looks like they are getting closer to that day :cool:

[red cat]

They have...? Well, he's still their Chairman, isn't he?

There is a difference between being the chairman and proposing a new strategy.

[Alaric]

Whisch them good luck, first time I heard of the maoist in Nepal was in a number of National Geographic a couple of years ago, wear they said that when they get the power over the country they will rise the red flagg with the hammer and the sickle on the top of Mount Everest. Looks like they are getting closer to that day :cool:

That will be fucking awesome, holy shit.

I just hope that the Maoist state stays open and democratic, allowing freedom of expression and helping workers to run their factories.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Question: When the Maoists take power, how will China work with them?
-Will the Maoists be neglected?

[RadioRaheem84]

Question: When the Maoists take power, how will China work with them?
-Will the Maoists be neglected?

With contempt. It would be no different than how the US looked at Cuba during it's revolution. It will be seen as a direct threat for it will an alternative to their system which is supposed to be "Maoist".

Let's hope Communism with Nepalese characteristics doesn't descend into Dengism.

[Saorsa]

Historically, Nepal has been dominated by India. India dominates Nepali politics, its economy, its military and so on. China is India's rival, and the Maoists intend to exploit this contradiction to try and survive.

Traditionally, Nepali PMs make their first overseas visit to Delhi to meet with their masters. Prachanda broke this tradition and went to China instead. I think he went there twice when he was Prime Minister. This does not mean that the Maoists view China favourably - to them, it's a capitalist country and the CCP is a revisionist party. But they're fighting for genuine national independence, in particular to be free from Indian domination, so to achieve that they have to build links with China.

[red cat]

Historically, Nepal has been dominated by India. India dominates Nepali politics, its economy, its military and so on. China is India's rival, and the Maoists intend to exploit this contradiction to try and survive.

Traditionally, Nepali PMs make their first overseas visit to Delhi to meet with their masters. Prachanda broke this tradition and went to China instead. I think he went there twice when he was Prime Minister. This does not mean that the Maoists view China favourably - to them, it's a capitalist country and the CCP is a revisionist party. But they're fighting for genuine national independence, in particular to be free from Indian domination, so to achieve that they have to build links with China.

India is generally used to dominate Nepal as an expansionist semi-colony itself. But that does not mean that China will support Nepal; Chinese imperialists have their servants in the Indian political spectrum too, so now Nepal is effectively sandwiched between two hostile powers.

Nepal must find a way to play off imperialists against each other. But still, even tactical links with an emerging imperialist power sharing borders with Nepal could be suicidal. West Europe or US would be a better choice for tactical allies.

[Saorsa]

^ All very true. I suspect this is part of the reason Prachanda made so many overseas visits when he was PM to countries like Finland and so on... trying to build potential tactical allies for the future.

[The Vegan Marxist]

^ All very true. I suspect this is part of the reason Prachanda made so many overseas visits when he was PM to countries like Finland and so on... trying to build potential tactical allies for the future.

Well then he needs to hurry his ass to America then. I'm tired of all these arm-chair revolutionaries here.

[Saorsa]

He's been there at least once in the past two years. He might come again - but then again, he's the head of a terrorist organisation. He might get turned away at customs!

[Tablo]

He's been there at least once in the past two years. He might come again - but then again, he's the head of a terrorist organisation. He might get turned away at customs!
Or arrested and water-boarded..

[Zeus the Moose]

Well then he needs to hurry his ass to America then. I'm tired of all these arm-chair revolutionaries here.


He's been there at least once in the past two years. He might come again - but then again, he's the head of a terrorist organisation. He might get turned away at customs!

Back when he was still Prime Minister, Prachanda visited the US during the UN General Assembly, and gave a talk (http://links.org.au/node/652) at the New School in NYC. He focused more on Nepal's need for development than plans for social revolution, but considering the context (before he resigned), it's somewhat understandable. He did, however mention something interesting about how, if Lenin had lived another five or so years, multi-party elections might have been reintroduced in the Soviet Union. Obviously this should be taken with a grain of salt (since it's it's a pretty poor path to speculate what leaders might have done had they not died), but to me it suggested that Prachanda at least was serious about democracy. He won another American supporter that day :D

Comrade Alastair makes a good point, though. Now that the UCPN(M) is in opposition again, it's much less likely he'll be able to get in the US.

[CartCollector]

West Europe or US would be a better choice for tactical allies.
Why would the US support a communist revolution? You have to remember that the country was in a cold war with the USSR and its allies from 1945 to 1991. If the US wasn't tied up in Afghanistan and Iraq they'd probably send troops to spread 'freedom and democracy' to Nepal.

Also, think about this from Obama's perspective. The UCPN-Maoist is obviously Communist and Bush added them to the list of terrorist organizations. If he supported them, not only would he get even more red-baiting than he's getting currently, he would be accused of supporting terrorists as well. In other words, he could kiss goodbye to re-election. Heck, he might even get impeached for treason, considering the political line and tactics of the UCPN-Maoist!

[The Vegan Marxist]

Why would the US support a communist revolution? You have to remember that the country was in a cold war with the USSR and its allies from 1945 to 1991. If the US wasn't tied up in Afghanistan and Iraq they'd probably send troops to spread 'freedom and democracy' to Nepal.

Also, think about this from Obama's perspective. The UCPN-Maoist is obviously Communist and Bush added them to the list of terrorist organizations. If he supported them, not only would he get even more red-baiting than he's getting currently, he would be accused of supporting terrorists as well. In other words, he could kiss goodbye to re-election. Heck, he might even get impeached for treason, considering the political line and tactics of the UCPN-Maoist!

Shit! If Obama had given his support for the progression of Communism in Nepal, then I'd be the first one in Washington helping to make sure Obama stayed in office, whether peaceful or militant.