Mohan Baidya, vice chairman of the UCPN (Maoist), leads the hardliner faction in the party. Internal dispute of the Maoist party has widened after the party- establishment handed over the keys of the arms containers to Army Integration Special Committee (AISC). Baidya faction is waiting central committee meeting to settle the issue before joining the government led by own party. Baidya spoke to Rajendra Pokhrel of Nepalnews on various aspects of party’s internal dispute. Excerpts:

Why are you objecting to the handover of the keys of arms containers to Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) so strongly?

Key handover itself is not an issue. It is a technical matter. But this issue is related to the peace process, army integration and constitution drafting. Our major concern is that People’s Liberation Army (PLA) should not be disarmed by handing over the keys until other tasks related to integration are completed. The party should have handed over the keys only after finalising modality of the integration and working out national security policy. Our protest is against the decision made in a hurry.

The decision of handing over keys is said to have been made through standing committee meeting. What is the reality?

A day before the meeting concluded, chairman had proposed that the party should hand over the keys to the AISC. After his proposal was rejected by some leaders, the meeting decided to handover weapons along with determining permanent settlement of the PLA once government is formed under the Maoist party’s leadership. No decision of “handing over of the keys” has been minuted in the meeting. Issues of the weapons and the combatants should be addressed simultaneously. We are positive on integration but the language of the decision mentioned in the minute should have been discussed before going for action. Handing over the keys without holding proper discussions was wrong.

What is preventing you to join the government led by your own party?

Keys of arms containers have been handed over before the government took full shape. We want the decision scrapped. We will not join the government until this issue is settled. Political agenda is important, not the government. We will decide whether or not to join the government only after the key handover issue is settled through central committee meeting.

Don’t you think returning the keys which have already been handed over will push back ongoing peace process?

I want to make it clear that the peace process has already been pushed back. The country is not moving ahead as per the essence of Comprehensive Peace Accord. The Peace process is not only meant to integrate PLA in Nepal Army, it’s about bringing out national security policy and working out so many crucial issues connected to it. The peace process can not be completed by seeking solution in installment instead of addressing the problem in the package.

Opposition parties are against this government. How can the Prime Minister lead the peace process to a successful end if you don’t support the government led by your own party?

The Prime Minister should understand that he cannot get anywhere by moving alone. He has been unilaterally talking about regrouping of the combatants without any decision of the party. Neither our party has unilaterally decided to start regrouping nor have other political parties decided anything in this regard. We are just saying that he should taking consent from other political parties and own party leaders before he acts.

Commanders of the cantonments are reported to have been saying that they will not have any objection if the government unilaterally decides to start regrouping process. What is your comment on this?

What one or two commander say does not make sense. What they speak does not represent the feelings of all the commanders or the combatants. PLA spokesperson’s individual remarks do not represent PLA’s official position.

What will be your position on regrouping process if started by PM unilaterally?

If he moves ahead unilaterally, it will only hurt the Maoist party, the combatants and self-respect of the people. It will not consolidate the achievements made through the revolution. Unilateral decision will not either address the problem facing the nation. Deciding unilaterally is meant to commit suicide by shattering dream of the people and throwing away the achievements made through people’s war. It will not be acceptable for us, we will search for alternative instead.

This means internal dispute may lead your party to split. What do you think?

Party split is not the solution of the problem. It is not our will either. I am hopeful that CC meeting will settle the issue by finding a common ground. However, it’s clear that the decision of chairman Dahal and vice chairman Bhattarai alone can not be implemented.

A majority of your party has been demanding apology from you for objecting to the standing committee’s decision. Will you apologise?

An apology is expected from those who get involved in guilty. Chairman Dahal and Prime Minister Bhattarai should apologise, not me.

Opposition leaders comment Maoist internal dispute as artificial one? How true are they?

Artificial dispute can not go up to the level of pouring out into the street. Everyone knows our party has been facing a great dispute. But I am sure that party will not split.

Your stand is eliciting different reactions from inside and outside the party. Some leaders have been publicly blaming that you are against the peace process. How do you defend yourself?

You have asked the right question. Some leaders are presenting me in such a way that I don’t want peace process be concluded. Even the media are portraying me like that. It really huts me. I am only against the suicidal act of the party that ruins people’s sacrifice. I am advocating for respectable integration of PLA and for sustainable peace.

You have also demanded four-point UCPN (Maoist) -UDMF deal be nullified. Why?

First of all, I want to let you know that this agreement was signed despite my strong objection. I have mentioned note of dissent in the minute. The agreement was signed in the mid night, a day before the formation of the government. The decision was made by Dahal and Bhattarai by neglecting other members of the talk team. Even we were not given enough time to discuss. Our party has officially decided to go for making of the constitution that is based on people’s federal republic. But violating party’s decision, they (Dahal-Bhattarai) have agreed for federal republican democratic constitution. They have also agreed to review the decision of the party which, were made in the past. It is nothing other than to surrender. So, our protest is against such misdoings.

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