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VOL. 28, NO. 22, Feb 20, 2009 (Falgun 09 2065)
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Blow In Terai Base?
The recently unified CPN-Maoist could suffer a blow in Terai with the exit of its maverick leader Matrika Yadav
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
When he addressed a press conference, Wednesday (Feb 11), to announce what he called as 'reconstitution of CPN-Maoist,' Matrika Yadav seemed a man in a hurry.
Reading out a statement filled with typos and checking and rechecking it as he read, Matrika gave the impression of ill preparation even as he set out marching in a completely different course – which the entire country is watching closely.
A leader who has surprised many heads and shocked many minds with his characteristic outbursts of fury and frenzy, could not, however, chisel away a sizeable section of leaders and cadres from the Maoists.
"The flow of cadres and leaders to the reconstituted CPN-Maoist will begin gradually," Matrika had defended during the press meet, where he cut a lonely figure unaccompanied by any central level leader to reckon with.
The Matrika's move had been rumored since past many weeks. At the cadres' conclave organized by the party in Kharipati few months ago, he had presented a written document advising the party leadership.
"But party chairman Prachanda did not take it seriously," he has claimed.
Miffed at the party leadership's posture, Matrika flew to Beijing snubbing the party-held conclave on Madhes last month.
At the conclave, most of the Madhesi leaders of the party had advised the leadership to convince Matrika and prevent him from walking out.
But the leadership, it appears, failed to convince him. And he made the decision to float a separate organization.
At the press meet organized to announce his departure, Matrika accused the Unified CPN (Maoist) leadership of being dominated by corrupt, power-hungry, ambitious and criminals.
He quit the politburo membership of the party as well as the membership of Constituent Assembly (CA).
Matrika went on to accuse Prachanda of being power-centered and only the leader of people from hilly origin.
A leader with quick temper, Matrika had hugged headlines many a times for wrong reasons. Sometimes he refused to take oath as minister because the language of the oath was not in his mother tongue Maithili while sometimes he engaged in verbal battle with the prime minister (Girija Prasad Koirala) in whose cabinet he was a member.
In September last year, Matrika – even though he was a sitting minister in a government led by his party – led a local leaders to capture lands 'for landless squatters' in Siraha. This led to a public spat with the party leadership, which asked him to apologize. Unfazed by the brouhaha, Matrika quit the cabinet, instead.
Even before that, he had angered the bureaucracy by shutting a forest official inside a toilet in what he called 'as lessons on environment.'
Eventually, Matrika has left his party. Although he was a maverick and even, eccentric, at times, his absence would create a void for his party in Madhes. Analysts predict a weakened Maoist presence in Terai following Matrika's departure.
The party leadership, however, has been putting up a brave face. It has 'expelled' Matrika for "indiscipline and unruly behavior".
BOUCHER'S VISIT
Clarifying Policy
The senior most US official to visit Nepal since the formation of Maoist-led government, Boucher says US will remove terror tag from Maoists only after sufficient review
By A CORRESPONDENT\
The United States has indicated that it is in no hurry to take the Maoists off the Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL).
Addressing a press meet in Kathmandu on Thursday (Feb 12), Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said that the primary pre-condition for removal of the TEL tag was the party's transition from a fighting outfit to a political force.
"We won't let our relationship affect the framing of the new statute," said Boucher. He categorically stated that the US has started the review process to take the ex-rebels off the TEL.
"However, the change in status will depend on their activities. We need to be sufficiently convinced that it translates to both in thought and action," he added. Boucher asked them to disarm and carry out their activities in a peaceful manner.
He also spoke on a number of other issues. He advised that introducing federal structure demands long and serious discussions and political understanding. "Federalism is a detailed concept. We expect all parties to act in a democratic way. We pledge unstinted support to re-establishment of democracy and framing of the new constitution. Our constitutional experts can also help in drafting the statute," he said.
He reiterated Washington's continued support for the underprivileged and marginalized and assistance to various sectors like health, agriculture and education. Boucher promised that the US could help Nepal to further the latter's business prospects. "There has to be an investor-friendly environment. Assistance is available from donors like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank," he said.
Earlier, Boucher met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' soon after landing in Kathmandu on Wednesday afternoon.
Talking to reporters after the meeting with Dahal at the PMO, Singha Durbar, Boucher said the US is willing to support the peace building efforts and the constitution-drafting process. Saying that the US wants good relations with the Nepal government, he added that the US government would give continuity to its assistance to Nepal.
