Nepal Maoists divided over response to India

Departure from 'protracted peoples' war' to 'capitalist revolution' is the main theme of the ongoing convention of Nepal's ruling Maoists. But India too is high on the agenda.

Updated on: Feb 5, 2013, 24:11:56 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Departure from 'protracted peoples' war' to 'capitalist revolution' is the main theme of the ongoing convention of Nepal's ruling Maoists. But India too is high on the agenda.

The former rebels who viewed India as the number one enemy earlier are now divided on whether to continue that policy or adopt a softer approach towards the southern neighbour.

Reports say disagreements between chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' Prachanda and vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha on policy towards India delayed the start of the session.

As opposed to Prachanda and his aides who want the party to adopt a softer policy towards India, Shrestha and several others want the party to maintain a hard stance towards New Delhi.

"We are in government. We can't use provocative words (against neighbouring countries) in the chairman's political document," Kumar Poudel, a leader close to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai told 'The Kathmandu Post'.

Shrestha had even threatened to present a separate political document if Prachanda's paper failed to include 'national independence' - which in Maoist parlance means freedom from New Delhi's interference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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