The indefinite strike called by Nepal’s main opposition party from May 2 seeking the government’s removal and setting up of a national government saw citizens suffering.
Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you want them to. The same can be said about the great expectation Maoists in Nepal had of catapulting back to power by holding the country to ransom for six days.
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The indefinite strike called by Nepal’s main opposition party from May 2 seeking the government’s removal and setting up of a national government saw citizens suffering.
Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and the UCPN (M) think-tank failed to gauge the public mood, their own weaknesses and stiff resistance put up by the government. In the end the strike was called off on Friday evening and the mass movement dubbed Jana Andolan III by some Maoists turned out to be a damp squib.
It displayed Maoists hunger for power. The unending rounds of talks that failed to break the deadlock also put question marks on the seriousness of ruling parties in taking the peace process forward and drafting a new constitution soon.
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The Maoist U-turn on the strike, which they had vowed to continue till “victory was achieved”, shocked their cadre who had left their homes and were squatting on the streets of Kathmandu for a week expecting change.
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The Maoist U-turn on the strike, which they had vowed to continue till “victory was achieved”, shocked their cadre who had left their homes and were squatting on the streets of Kathmandu for a week expecting change.
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“We decided to withdraw the strike due to hardships faced by the people and to foil the government’s conspiracy to instigate confrontation among masses,” said Prachanda. He may be true, but not many believe these were the only reasons.
Pressure from international community, growing differences among Maoists and a ‘peace rally’ in Kathmandu where nearly 20,000 people turned up defying the strike were certainly the other reasons.
This doesn’t guarantee a happy ending, since the Maoists have decided to continue their agitation in a different manner. Also, there’s no consensus on the new constitution or extension of the constituent assembly’s term — both of which expire on May 28.
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.
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