India must work with Nepals democrats to urge the Maoists away from violence
Written by The Indian Express
2 min read
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Delhis current robust diplomatic support to the democratic forces in Nepal to prevent a Maoist take-over has led to much talk of Indias unpopularity in Kathmandu. Well-meaning but credulous opinion has painted the Maoists as a social democratic force that must be dealt with kid gloves. And Delhi itself has often been tempted to ease up. The just-concluded Maoist plenum,however,underlines that they do indeed pose a long-term threat to Nepals political future and Indias national security interests.
In retrospect it is quite clear that the Maoist support to the 2006 peace accord and their promise to join the mainstream did not imply a shift in their ideological orientation. The plenum reaffirmed a commitment to the peoples revolt as the ultimate means and peoples democracy as the political end,showing no real faith in constitutionalism and democratic politics. Nor did it engage seriously with the most important issue of the peace process: to disarm nearly 20,000 of its ex-fighters. The Maoists had given their word to do this before the end of 2008 and have repeatedly postponed the deadline. The plenum is a useful reminder to all those in Kathmandu,Delhi and beyond who have nurtured the illusion that the Maoists are amenable to political bargaining.
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Meanwhile,the plenum demonstrated growing fissures among the Maoists. While Prachanda,remains the dominant force within the party,his writ is no longer final. His extravagant personal lifestyle and opportu- nist politics have come under internal attack. Two alternatives to Prachandas line were debated,if inclusively,in the plenum. One called for greater flexibility in dealing with the democratic forces and other called for a return to armed struggle. While the differences remain tactical,the pressure seems to be getting to them. India must continue to help Nepals political parties to isolate the Maoists until they demonstrate good faith by abandoning their instruments of coercion. Any wobbling in Delhi will at this juncture only re-energise the Maoists.
