Maoist factions in stalemate over power-sharing

KATHMANDU, Jan 2: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s reluctance to share internal power in the party with the two rival factions –- one led by Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and the other by Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai -- has created a sort of stalemate in the party.

A series of Standing Committee meetings held recently has failed to take any decision regarding the party´s action plan and the reshuffling of responsibilities.


Party leaders say the chairman has postponed the meeting repeatedly under one pretext or another as he is unwilling to share the major party posts held by his supporters with the Baidya and Bhattarai factions.

But both the Baidya and Bhattarai factions seem determined to acquire a rightful share in the party’s organization.

Dahal heads all three organs of the Maoist movement-- organization, political front and army-- and his supporters are in key posts on all these fronts.

Bhattarai has now demanded that he be made the parliamentary party leader, while the Baidya group wants to head the political front which is tasked with completing the revolution through a broader alliance with nationalists, federalists, republicans and leftists.

While the Bhattarai group has been pressuring Dahal to immediately reshuffle party responsibilities, the Baidya group has demanded a lion’s share in the party setup as the party has taken up its political line, which must be taken to a logical conclusion by that group.

The Baidya group argues that they have a rightful claim to lead the major bodies of the party since the party has adopted their political line of revolt. “If we do not get to lead the party, the party´s line of revolt may not be implemented," said a leader close to Baidya.

"We don’t get it why the chairman is not deliberating the report of the taskforce formed to make recommendations on theoretical and ideological issues,” said another leader close to Baidya.

The taskforce was led by party general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa. Party insiders say Dahal has remained silent on the issues though the taskforce has already submitted its report.

But the Dahal faction is in no mood to share power with rival factions.

“Why discuss the report as both rival factions have demanded a lion’s shares in the organization, which is not appropriate,” said one leader close to Dahal.

According to him, the Bhattarai group is demanding a much bigger share in the party than it actually deserves. "The Bhattarai camp has been reduced to a minority, so they have to accept the decision of the majority," said the leader, adding, "They should feel contented if they are given the posts of deputies.”

The Bhattarai camp has demanded shares in most party committees as well as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Dahal has a monopoly over the PLA. All the deputy commanders -Barshaman Pun, Nanda Kishor Pun, Janardan Sharma and Chandra Prakash Khanal -- belong to the Dahal group. Similarly, all the seven division commanders also belong to Dahal’s camp.

To end this monopoly, the Baidya and Bhattarai groups have proposed expansion of the PLA general staff, which comprises four deputy commanders and seven division commanders.

Baidya’s group has proposed Netra Bikram Chand and Kul Prasad KC as deputy commanders, while the Bhattarai group has proposed Debendra Paudel for the same post.

"Not only the general staff, we have demanded restructuring of brigades, battalions, companies and platoons as well," said a leader close to Baidya.

All the division commanders of the PLA´s seven divisions are close to Dahal. And only two division vice-commanders are close to Bhattarai. Five vice-commanders are close to Baidya. Though Dahal´s supporters are at the leadership level, Baidya is popular among PLA combatants.

State In-charges

The Maoists have 13 geographical state committees formed on the basis of nationality, region and language, and 13 other state committees representing various sectors.

Only two state in-charges, Devendra Paudel from Abadha and Bhim Prasad Gautam from Bhojpura, are from the Bhattarai camp.

Dharmendra Bastola of Seti-Mahakali, Khadka Bahadur BK of Bheri-Karnali, Haribhakta Kadel of Tharuwan, Hitman Shakya of Newa and Narayan Sharma of Limbuwan are close to Baidya.

And, the rest of the in-charges from six geographical states are close to Dahal. Hemant Prakash Oli of Magarat, Hitaraj Pande of Tamuwan, Agni Sapkota of Tamsaling, Gopal Kirati of Kirat, Bishwanath Sah of Mithila and Haribol Gajurel of Kochila are Dahal´s ardent supporters. Almost all state secretaries are from Dahal’s faction.
The Dahal faction also dominates the party departments.

Bhattarai heads the Publicity and Publication Department and his close aid Khim Lal Devkota heads the Intellectual Association.

The Baidya faction also has some good representation in the party´s powerful fronts and departments.

Baidya’s right hand-man Chand heads the party’s wings and sister organizations. Kul Prasad KC heads the YCL, while Krishna Bahadur Mahara heads the foreign department.

Similarly, most powerful sister organizations including the YCL and the Workers Union are headed by Dahal confidantes. The Dahal and Baidya factions seem to have almost equal representation in the sister wings, regional fronts, ethnic fronts and professional fronts.

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