Why Dahal wants to abandon Maoism?

KATHMANDU: The Maoist ideology, which was becoming a burden for CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, as well as other leaders and cadres of the party, is now in the process of formal dissolution.

The party is likely to abandon ‘Maoism’ as its standing committee has passed a resolution to change the party’s name and election symbol. If the proposal is approved by the party’s executive committee, the ‘Maoist party’ will become a thing of the past.

Party leaders say that despite prolonged debates about changing the party’s name and election symbol, the implementation of this change is now imminent.

Despite the change of name and election symbol, the party’s leadership will remain the same, leading many to view it as another attempt by Dahal to stay in power. Maoist Center leaders, however, argue that the change is a result of considering public psychology, geopolitical factors, and competition. They claim that since the party has institutionalized the gains made from the armed rebellion, it is now looking to chart a new course of action. To achieve this, the party aims to unite leaders who were once part of the Maoist party but are now associated with different political groups.

According to Dahal, the process of unifying the movement has already commenced. “I have had discussions with many groups. I believe that another process of party unity will take place soon. It will not only encourage Maoist leaders and workers but also the general public,” he stated during an event in Kanchanpur on Monday. He also mentioned that they have agreed in principle to form a socialist front by involving all the players in the communist and socialist movements.

Maoism has become a burden for Dahal, who initiated the ‘people’s war’, participated in the peace process, and became the Prime Minister thrice by leading a Maoist movement. Despite becoming the largest political party in 2008, his party’s popularity has dwindled continuously. It secured the third position in the 2022 elections.

Maoist Center’s deputy general secretary, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, has stated that the proposal to change the party’s name and election symbol will be implemented once the executive committee endorses it. “The standing committee has approved the chairman’s proposal. We will initiate discussions on the name and election symbol after the proposal is endorsed by the executive committee,” he stated.

Maoism has become a burden for Dahal, who initiated the ‘people’s war’, participated in the peace process, and became the Prime Minister thrice by leading a Maoist movement.

According to Surendra Chand, a political science professor, the global situation is not very favorable for communist parties. “This is why the Maoist Center has chosen to change its name,” Chand explained, further stating, “As the world continues to move forward in a wave of democratic principles and values, communist parties are compelled to adapt.”

Dahal has been the head of the Maoist party since its inception. CPN (Maoist) was formed in 1994 when the CPN (Unity Center) split. It launched the people’s war that resulted in over 17,000 fatalities. After the Maoists entered the political mainstream, they reunited with CPN (Unity Center) in June 2012, forming the Unified CPN (Maoist).

In May 2016, the Unified CPN (Maoist) merged with nine other minor parties to create the CPN (Maoist Center). After the 2017 elections, the CPN (Maoist Center) joined forces with the CPN-UML to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), with Dahal serving as co-chairman of the party.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the merger of the two communist parties, the CPN (Maoist Center) was reinstated.

Prior to the November 20 elections, Dahal engaged in discussions with several parties to establish a socialist center, but these discussions did not yield significant results. During the meetings, some leaders had proposed changing the party’s name.

Dr  Baburam Bhattarai, who left the Maoist party in 2016 to establish the Nayashakti Nepal Party, has urged Dahal to change the party’s name to facilitate unification. Bhattarai is presently the leader of the Nepal Samajbadi Party.

If the proposal to change the name and election symbol is approved by the executive committee of the Maoist Center, it will signify the end of the Maoist movement.