A letter to Pushpa Kamal Dahal from an independent and concerned Nepali

To,
Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal,
President,
UCPN-Maoist

Dear Sir,

Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Sailesh Dhungana and I am 22 years old. I studied at Princeton University for three semesters. Despite being at one of the best educational institutions in the world, I was not completely happy. One of the reasons behind my depression was the realization that I could never leave my identity of a Nepali, which led to a feeling of inferiority resulting from the terrible state Nepal is in. So, I decided to come back to Nepal to bring some positive changes in Nepal’s current situation.

The prospect of a power vacuum is looming over Nepal. Only 3 weeks are left till the deadline of constitution assembly. If the interim constitution is not amended and the CA term is not extended, CA and the government will lose legal validity. There will be a power vacuum in the country. To prevent that a 2/3 majority is needed, which requires the support of your party as well as other political parties. A consensus is a must at this point.

When your party organized the general strike. I supported it. I am neither pro-Maoist nor anti-Maoist. I admire the works you have done for underprivileged groups, and the positive changes you have brought about in the country. But, I shun your violent past and your previous wish for a communist regime. However, I supported your general strike, for it was a way to end the current deadlock. I supported your wish for a national-unity government and resignation of the current prime minister because a consensus is absolutely required to prevent the power vacuum.

Things did not work out and you had to retreat from your strike. Now, UML and Congress are demanding that there should be agreement on the assimilation of Maoist army into Nepal army before the resignation of Madhav Kumar Nepal. You, on the other hand, have taken the stance of not talking with the government before they quit. You seem skeptical of their demand, but I will try to prove that their demand is for your own benefit.

Remember how those leaders used to talk. People like Sushil Koirala and Bidhya Bhandari used to say that not a single Maoist would be taken into Nepal Army. Now, they are asking for the assimilation of Maoist army. Is this not a victory for you? Is this not what you want?

So, please accept their request for talks. It will be beneficial not only for Nepal but also for your party. You will prove foreign forces that you are willing to give up the army. People in your army will get a decent job. And, you do not need to give up the army right away; they are just demanding that an agreement be reached on the problem of Maoist army. Do not look at this demand as just another demand. It is something you have wanted all along.

If unrealistic demands are made during talks, Nepalese people will support you. Nepalese people know how those people in camps fought. They understand the need for a proper way to assimilate them. If an agreement is reached, and Madhav Kumar still does not resign, every one will rise up against them. Trust the people. Kathmandu-basi might have shown little participation in the general strike, but if you are tricked, they will rise up.

So, please agree for the talks. A consensus is a must in this situation. Nepalese people will admire your flexibility. Do not let personal ego and party ego guide you. Do not be skeptical to their demands. They are for your own good.


Hoping that you will take me seriously and wishing you all the best,


Sailesh Dhungana, an independent and concerned Nepali